Fishery Licences

To commercially fish within waters of the Northern Territory, a person, company or partnership must possess a commercial fishing licence. Waters of the Northern Territory include all inland waters and waters to the outer boundaries of the Australian Fishing Zone. The holder of an interstate licence is not permitted to fish in NT waters with an interstate licence. Commonwealth endorsed licenses for NT waters are permitted.

No new licenses are being issued for commercial fishing. A person may enter an existing fishery by purchasing or leasing a licence from a licensee within that fishery. Some licence types are restricted and cannot be sold and some may be subject to purchase restrictions.

A person, company or partnership cannot purchase, process and sell fish or aquatic life unless they have a licence. This includes all wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, fish and chip shops, supermarkets, market stall sellers and those selling from vehicles.

All licenses are valid until 30 June each financial year. As long as a licensee is not using their licence they have until 31 December to renew that licence. Those licence holders who trade, process or sell seafood must have their licence current if they continue trading, processing or selling seafood.

Listed below are the various licence categories, permits and vessel registration details. The licence categories are basically divided into two sections: those that are transferable or non-transferable licenses and those of which no new licenses will be issued. A transferable licence may be purchased or leased on the open market. Fisheries does not control the market value that these licenses may sell for. A non-transferable licence cannot be sold or leased.

Fisheries Regulations Online

Coastal Line Fishery

• No new licences to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 1}

Subject to a two for one policy. Any licence number that does not commence with the 5000 series is a restricted licence and is subject to the two for one policy. If you purchase a restricted licence you cannot use it until you purchase another restricted licence, and then surrender both licenses back to the NT Government. You are then issued with an unrestricted licence and this licence is no longer subject to the two for one.

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Coastal Net Fishery

• No new licenses to be issued
• Non Transferable

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 2}

These are non-transferable licenses and cannot be purchased.

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Bait Net Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued
• Non Transferable

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 3}

These are non-transferable licenses and cannot be purchased.

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Spanish Mackerel Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 4}

Subject to a two for one policy. Any licence number that does not commence with the 5000 series is a restricted licence and is subject to the two for one policy. If you purchase a restricted licence you cannot use it until you purchase another restricted licence, and then surrender both licenses back to the NT Government. You are then issued with an unrestricted licence and this licence is no longer subject to the two for one. The Spanish Mackerel Fishery Management Plan outlines the licence conditions.

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Off-shore Net and Line Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 5}

Subject to a three for one policy. Any licence number that does not commence with the 5000 series is a restricted licence and is subject to the three for one policy. If you purchase a restricted licence you cannot use it until you purchase another two restricted licenses, and then surrender all three back to the NT Government. You are then issued with an unrestricted licence and this licence is not subject to the three for one.

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Demersal Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 6}

These are transferable licenses and may be purchased on the open market. There is a vessel size limit of a minimum of 8 meters in this fishery.

Barramundi Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 7}

These are transferable licenses and may be purchased on the open market. The Barramundi Fishery Management Plan outlines the licence conditions.

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Mud Crab Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 8}

These are transferable licenses and may be purchased on the open market. The Mud Crab Fishery Management Plan outlines the licence conditions.

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Mollusc Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued
• Non Transferable

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 9}

These are non-transferable licenses and cannot be purchased.

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Pearl Oyster Fishery 

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 10}

To enter this fishery you must purchase pearl units from existing licence holders. The Pearl Oyster Culture Industry Management Plan outlines the licence conditions.

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Pearl Oyster Culture Industry 

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 10, Division 3}

To enter this fishery you must purchase pearl units from existing licence holders. The Pearl Oyster Culture Industry Management Plan outlines the licence conditions.

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Aquarium Fishing/Display Fishery

• Non Transferable

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 12}

These are non-transferable licenses and cannot be purchased, but you may apply for a licence. It should be noted that if you purchase an existing business, you do not purchase the aquarium fishing/display licence and have to apply for a new licence. Licence conditions will apply.

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Trepang Fishery 

• No new licenses to be issued

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 13}

These are transferable licenses and may be purchased on the open market.

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Development Fishery  

• Non Transferable

{Fisheries Regulations - Part 8, Division 14}

Anyone seeking to develop a new fishery may apply for a development permit to test the abundance and distribution of the resource and marketing opportunities.

Alternatively, if a commercial fisher wishes to test new gear in an existing fishery, they may also apply for a development permit.

These development opportunities are termed Development Fisheries and are subject to the following policy and assessment process. Complete details for the application of a development permit is provided in the Development Fishery Policy.

Prerequisite for a development licence is a development permit. A development permit must be issued and assessed before a development licence can be issued

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