The 2026 Queensland coral fishery ecological risk assessment (QCF ERA) builds on previous assessments and evaluates the risk to 20 prioritised coral species and considers broader ecological components that may be impacted during commercial coral collection.
The QCF ERA was completed using a likelihood and consequence analysis (LCA) to assess the risks to priority coral species harvested in the QCF, incorporating stakeholder input and expert elicitation. Of the 20 species assessed, 13 were classified as low risk, five were rated as moderate risk and two were high risk. Two high-risk species, Homophyllia cf. australis and Micromussa lordhowensis, are considered most at risk due to their low growth rates, restricted distributions, and specialised habitat requirements. Concentrated harvesting and uncertainties regarding biomass and abundance further elevated their risk. Despite these challenges, recent management reforms have improved the risk profiles of these species.
The QCF ERA also considered potential impacts the fishery may have on habitats, the physical environment, ecosystem functions, as well as on coral and coral-dependent ecosystems. While fishing-related impacts are generally localised, cumulative pressures from fishing and environmental disturbances, such as marine heatwaves, pose ongoing risks to coral resilience. The assessment highlights knowledge gaps, including coral biomass, abundance, distribution, recruitment, recovery, and taxonomy.
The findings of this ERA update risk profiles for 20 coral species and will inform the updated coral harvest strategy and the development of a severe event response plan. These measures, alongside continued research, monitoring, and adaptive management, will be critical to addressing remaining challenges.
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