Half of Queensland’s Aquaculture Sites Are Near Shorebird Habitat

Proposed aquaculture sites in Queensland overlap with migratory shorebird habitat. Photo by Fabian Quintero.

A new study led by Caitie Kuempel revealed that nearly half of Queensland’s proposed coastal aquaculture farms are located within 5 km of critical shorebird habitat—raising urgent questions about how this growing industry can coexist with conservation priorities.

Queensland is Australia’s largest producer of land-based coastal aquaculture, especially for high-value species like tiger prawns. But this expansion is occurring in sensitive ecosystems—places also vital for migratory shorebirds, many of which are threatened and rely on Australia’s coastline for survival.

In this first-of-its-kind spatial analysis, the team combined satellite data, habitat maps, and GPS tracking of critically endangered Far Eastern Curlew to investigate the proximity between aquaculture sites and shorebird habitats. They found that 14.5% of active aquaculture sites directly overlap mapped Shorebird Areas, and 50% are within 5 km. Particularly high-risk areas include Pumicestone Passage and Burnett River Estuary, where internationally significant numbers of shorebirds have been recorded.

The study also uncovered that one GPS-tagged Far Eastern Curlew stopped at an active aquaculture site during migration—suggesting that these sites are already being used by some species, though the extent of this use is still unclear.

Looking ahead, the outlook for future aquaculture expansion also demands caution. Most government-designated Aquaculture Development Areas (ADAs), and a number of inactive approved sites, lie close to important shorebird habitats. While these areas currently show little direct overlap with tidal flats or wetlands, future development could change that—especially if habitat loss elsewhere displaces shorebirds into new areas.

In the paper, we call for stronger planning and management safeguards, including clearer environmental guidelines for the industry. We recommend drawing on existing best-practice habitat guidelines—such as maintaining shallow open ponds for roosting, minimizing disturbance, and preventing disease transmission from birds to stock (and vice versa). We also highlight the need for more structured surveys and satellite tracking to understand how and when birds use aquaculture ponds.

With the Queensland Government poised to expand aquaculture production, this research urges action now to ensure sustainable coexistence. There’s still time to plan well, but the window is narrowing. Getting this right could make Australia a global leader in both sustainable seafood and shorebird conservation.