Moreton Bay

Situated in South East Queensland and almost as far east as you can get on the Australian mainland, Moreton Bay was formed by the deposit of sand carried northwards on coastal currents. These sands have resulted in some of the largest sand islands in the world - Moreton Island and North and South Stradbroke. These islands form the eastern boundary of Moreton Bay.

From Caloundra in the north, the bay stretches some 100 miles (160 km) to Southport, encompassing some 360 islands of varying size within its boundaries. Emptying into Moreton Bay is the Brisbane River upon which is situated Brisbane, Capital city of the State of Queensland.

Moreton Bay was for countless centuries inhabited by Aboriginal tribes. The Bay was named by Captain Cook who sailed past its entrance in 1770, but it was Matthew Flinders who was the first European to enter the Bay in 1799. He was followed by John Oxley who discovered the Brisbane River in 1823. On a subsequent visit in the following year Oxley established the first European settlement in the Bay at the present site of Redcliffe but this proved unsuitable and was moved to the present site of Brisbane. Established as a convict settlement, it was to remain so until 1839 when it was thrown open to free settlers. Since that time the flood of immigrants has continued undiminished.

Fish for the future

Moreton Bay is renowned for its fishing grounds. Fishing activities are largely unaffected by zoning, but some restrictions apply to encourage sustainable use.

Fishing is allowed in all zones except protection zones and the buffer zone around Flinders Reef. The protection zones are Flinders Reef, Tripcony Bight, north-west of Peel Island, Willes Island, Swan Bay and McCoys Creek.

Trolling (fishing with a line trailed behind a vessel under way) for pelagic fish is the only form of fishing allowed in the buffer zone around Flinders Reef.
Spearfishing is prohibited in the buffer zone and protection zones. When spearfishing, a person must not use underwater breathing apparatus or a powerhead.

Other fishing restrictions occur in Moreton Bay. Contact the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol for further details (07) 3860 3502.