What’s happening?
Yeppoon is preparing for a busy week as hundreds of recreational fishers arrive for the Capricorn King of Kings tournament.
The event runs from midnight Thursday, 5 February to 10 am Sunda,y 8 February and attracts anglers of all ages and skill levels.
With boats launching and lines going in, the tournament is also shining a light on how everyday fishing habits can help protect Queensland’s fishing future.
Local angler Des Quinn is showing how small, regular actions can make a difference by logging his catches in the Qld Fishing 2.0 app.
Why it matters
Recreational fishing plays a major role in Queensland, and the data collected from fishers helps inform how fisheries are managed.
Des said he started logging his catches to support long-term fishing outcomes.
“I started doing it just to contribute information, to make sure fishing stays good for the future,” he said.
Catch data helps fisheries managers understand what species are being caught, when fishing pressure occurs, and how conditions affect results.
Local impact
Des is a lifelong Yeppoon angler who regularly targets blue threadfin, grunter, king salmon and the occasional barramundi.
He also assists Fisheries Queensland with boat ramp surveys around Yeppoon, giving him a clear view of how different data sources work together.
Des believes broader use of the app would help scientists better assess fish stocks across the state.
“We all know little pieces of the puzzle. No one knows everything,” he said.
By the numbers
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Des has logged 100 fishing trips over 18 months, creating a clear record of his fishing activity and conditions.
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He now aims to fish twice a week in retirement, even if he jokes he has not quite met his KPI.
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The King of Kings tournament runs for almost four days, from 5 to 8 February, bringing strong fishing activity to Yeppoon.
Zoom in
Using the app’s My Fishing section, Des records each trip and catch.
Over time, this has helped him understand seasonal patterns, including when species are more active and how weather and conditions influence results.
He also uses the species information pages to check rules, local names and bag limits.
“Since the information is coming straight from Fisheries Queensland, you know it’s right,” he said.
Zoom out
Some fishers are cautious about sharing information, but the app does not collect secret fishing locations.
All data is stored anonymously and combined with catch logs from across Queensland to support statewide insights.
“I want the stocks to be managed effectively into the future,” Des said.
What to look for next?
During the Capricorn King of Kings tournament, Fisheries Queensland staff will be on-site in Yeppoon.
They will speak with fishers about the Qld Fishing 2.0 app and how individual catch reports support healthy fish stocks.
The Your Catch Counts pilot is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.
The pilot forms part of Project 2023-150, which focuses on normalising voluntary catch reporting through the Qld Fishing 2.0 app.
