TEN fish attracting devices have been set up by the state government this week off the southeast Queensland coast.
One is south of Cape Moreton and a second is off the southern half of Moreton Island towards Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island.
Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the FADs were floating buoys tethered offshore to attract fish.
"We're ... investing $1 million in these structures that will attract sports fish species including mahi mahi (dolphin fish), cobia and mackerel," Mr Furner said.
"The added benefit of making it more likely that you'll hook one of these species is that it takes some of the pressure off snapper and pearl perch, which are currently overfished and stocks are very low.
"These FADs have been installed in 10 locations from Double Island Point to the Gold Coast this week by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol from its vessel the KI Ross."
Mr Furner said almost one million Queenslanders had enjoyed recreational fishing at least once over the past year, making the sector an important driver of jobs and tourism.
"A few weeks ago we asked fishers to have their say on the proposed locations and suggestions for other places to install these FADs and 90 per cent of respondents said they loved the idea," he said.
"There has been an overwhelming response from the public to the program.
"We'll take some of their suggestions for other locations for these structures to talk to potential partners who may be interested in matching funding to expand the program in south-east Queensland or more widely.
"We believe that this initiative will help to strengthen world class recreational fishing in Queensland, while giving snapper and pearl perch stocks an opportunity to rebuild.
"By encouraging recreational fishers to target species other than snapper and pearl perch, we can ensure a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren so they can enjoy fishing for these iconic Queensland species for years to come."
GPS locations are on the department's website at fisheries.qld.gov.au
Boaties are not allowed to moor on the FADs and the government has called on fishers to share the resource.
