Fishing Licences

Fisheries works in partnership with commercial and recreational fishing industries, the aquaculture industry, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to achieve optimum sustainable utilisation of the Northern Territory's valuable aquatic resources.

This web site has informatation about the temporary fishing arrangements for affected areas by the Federal Court decision known as the Blue Mud Bay case.

The Northern Territory's aquatic resources are shared between a variety of user groups including commercial, recreational, indigenous fishers, fishing tour operators and the wider community. In order for all groups to continue to prosper from the use of these valuable resources, it is important that all activities are conducted in a manner which is least disruptive to the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Fisheries works in partnership with commercial and recreational fishing industries, the aquaculture industry, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to achieve optimum sustainable utilisation of the Northern Territory's valuable aquatic resources. It follows a consultative and precautionary-based approach to ensure that all NT wild harvest fisheries, aquaculture and associated aquatic resources are ecologically, economically and socially sustained. Fisheries' resource management programs are based on high quality scientific indicators and designed to ensure that the Territory's aquatic resources are not over-exploited.

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.

The Marine Safety Branch is responsible for a range of marine matters including safety, commercial vessel surveys, crew certificates of competency, hire and drive vessel registration, recreational boating safety, marine communications for non-solas vessels, search and rescue, marine pollution, oil spill management and clean up training, plan and design approval for new vessels.