Licences and Permits-Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines-Fisheries

Licences and Permits

Licences and Permits

Telephone:

BH +61 8 8999 2144

Fax:

+61 8 8999 2065

Commercial Fishing

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 Northern Territory waters with an interstate licence. Commonwealth endorsed licenses for Northern Territory waters are permitted. [more]

Fishing Vessels

{Fisheries Act - 18}

Unless exempt by Gazette Notice, any vessels that are going to be used with a licence or permit must be registered.

All vessels are subject to the Marine Act and unless exempt, are to be in current Northern Territory survey. The same applies to any marine qualifications. All certificates must be Northern Territory endorsed.

When registering a vessel you must present the current vessel survey certificate and any relevant marine certificates.

Registrations are transferable.

Fishing Permits

{Fisheries Act - 15}

Permits are issued in accordance with Section15 of the Fisheries Act. They are divided into two categories, namely a Section 16 or Section 17 permit.

A Section 16 permit is used for the importation of fish and aquatic life into the NT or for the translocation of fish and aquatic life within the NT. Any person, be it a licence holder or the general public, who wishes to import any live fish or live aquatic life from interstate or overseas can only do so after they have applied for and been granted a permit. The same applies for the translocation of any live fish or live aquatic life. For example, live bait taken from the Adelaide River cannot be taken to the Daly River unless a permit is obtained.

A Section 17 permit is a special permit that may allow the permit holder to take fish or aquatic life that may not normally be allowed or allow the taking of fish or aquatic life from closed areas. It may also allow the use of some gear that is prohibited under fisheries legislation. A permit may be issued for the purpose of education, research or the carrying out of trials and experiments with fishing vessels or fishing gear. It may also be issued for the purposes of sport or recreation in the case of a disabled person who, in the opinion of the Director, would otherwise be unable, by reason of the person's disability, to fish by the methods permitted by the Fisheries Act.

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Commercial Fishing

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