Stress and uncertainty about the commercial fishing industry's future are contributing to high levels of depression and poor mental health for many fishermen in Queensland.
A survey of the fishing industry conducted last year showed greater psychological stress and almost double the rate of depression in fishermen than the national average.
The results showed a 19 per cent rate of depression among industry workers compared to the estimated national diagnosis of 10 per cent.
David Swindells, a commercial fisher from Yeppoon in central Queensland, said he was suffering from poor mental health because there was no stability in the industry, especially since the introduction of net-free zones by the State Government in 2015.
"There is no insurance we are going to have a job the next day, and the net-free zones massively affected us in these areas and mentally stressed us right out," he said.