Developmental fishing permit
Developmental fishing enables fishers to investigate the viability of new commercial fishing activities, including:
- targeting new, unallocated or currently non-commercial species
- using different or modified types of fishing gear
- exploring new areas for fisheries resources.
You need a permit from Fisheries Queensland if you want to participate in a developmental fishery.
These permits can't be renewed or transferred.
Who is eligible
The permit can be held by either:
- individual applicants
- in the name of a company.
All applicants must be 18 years or over.
How to apply
- Complete the permit application.
- Pay the application fee: $6,911.25.
Existing fees and charges did not increase on 1 July 2024 in line with the government's indexation policy.
Your application should include supporting information that addresses:
- ecologically sustainability
- details of the proposed developmental fishing activity and harvest method
- information demonstrating that fisheries resources can sustain the impacts associated with the proposed activity
- economic viability
- statement of skills and previous experience in the relevant field
- product and market analysis (your chosen market and your position in the market)
- marketing plan (your strategies to attract and keep clients)
- operating plan (how the business works)
- financial plan (your investment expected turnover, estimated profit and cash flow projections)
- risk management plan
- social acceptability
- details of how the proposed fishing activity will minimise conflict with other fisheries resources stakeholders
- details and outcomes of industry or community consultation
- details and outcomes of any consultation with Indigenous groups
- any letters of support from industry or community groups.
After you submit
Fisheries Queensland uses information from your application to investigate the viability of the proposed new fishery. A developmental fishery may not always be formalised as a new fishery.