{
  "id": 15046955,
  "title": "Coral overharvesting on Great Barrier Reef investigated by regulator",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/coral-overharvesting-on-great-barrier-reef-investigated-by-regulator",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T21:04:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-17/qld-coral-harvesting-concerns-great-barrier-reef/107260912"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Great Barrier Reef's coral harvesters are under investigation for exceeding their catch limits, according to Fisheries Queensland. Coral harvesters are permitted to collect up to 190 tonnes of coral annually from the reef. The investigation focuses on the Pocillopora grandis, also known as antler coral, with its harvest being overfished by 30 percent in the 2025-2026 fishing season. Coral harvesting involves collecting coral from the ocean, with much of the harvest destined for the global aquarium trade. Bright colors and interesting shapes are highly prized by reef enthusiasts, driving demand for the harvested coral. However, coral catch quotas have been breached multiple times in recent years, leading to some operators being charged with fishing offenses. Despite this, Fisheries Queensland has declined to release the findings of the investigation. Coral reef ecologist Dr. Morgan Pratchett stated that while Pocillopora grandis is not under threat, any overharvesting event is of concern, as it sends a negative message given the international scrutiny on the industry's management. There are two types of coral harvesting quotas in the Great Barrier Reef fishery: individual transferrable quotas (ITC) and prescribed commercial catch (PCC) quotas. Breaking these quotas can result in prosecution. Simon Miller from the Australian Marine Conservation Society expressed concern over the catch limits set for coral species, stating that the fishers are in a race to fish and harvest corals as quickly as possible, leading to overruns of quotas. Monsoon Aquatics, a company involved in coral harvesting, has faced allegations of illegal coral harvesting, with one of its divers, Tim Green, fined nearly $250,000 for offenses related to coral and fish collection and recording. The Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions is pursuing a case against Monsoon Aquatics and its former lead diver and skipper.",
  "summary": "The investigation comes as the coral harvesting industry on the reef is facing increased pressure from environmentalists.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}