Potato cod in Queensland are at risk and their placid and curious nature appears to be playing a major part. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is investigating reports that illegal fishing and fish 'framing' are responsible for declining potato cod numbers at the Cod Hole, a popular dive site off Lizard Island.

The area is a protected Green Zone, but GBRMPA tourism and stewardship director Karen Vohland said at least two potato cods have been spotted with a fishing line stuck in their gills. "Potato cods are particularly vulnerable because they're extremely friendly, and often follow divers around like puppies," she said. "However, these creatures, which can live for decades, don't mature until late in life, meaning the loss of a potato cod can impact on the size of the local population," she added.

Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators has observed visitors fish 'framing', which involves dangling fish heads or carcasses into the water to attract the cods to the surface.” They’ll drop them over the side of the boat and almost have a wrestle with the potato cod, and bring them right up behind the boat," said Col McKenzie, chief executive with the group.” It could be accidental, it could be that people are deliberately targeting these fish...what we do know is we used to have more than 10, and now we've only got have three or four," he added.

Potato cod grow up to 2.5 metres long and can weigh up to 100 kilograms. They are habitat fish, remaining in the same location their whole lives. After 40 years of being visited by tour operators, they have become very habituated to people.” On a 40-to-60-minute dive in that location, these things will just swim round like a dog behind you...when you're looking in a hole or a cave, they'll swim up beside you wanting a look," he McKenzie said. "Their friendliness is killing them."

Ms Vohland has urged tour operators and private visitors to report any signs of illegal or irresponsible activity, but Mr McKenzie urged GBRMPA to put manned patrols at Cod Hole. "That would fulfill two roles – showing a presence in an important area, and educate those people who don't know whether they're doing the right thing," he said.