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

1. Complete the permit application.
2. Pay the application fee: $6,911.25.

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.