Surrender a commercial fishing authority

Any type of fishing authority can be surrendered while it is still current.

Once surrendered, the activities that were authorised must end.

You must formally surrender the licence as soon as you decide you no longer want to continue the activities it authorises, otherwise the licence will continue to attract fees.

What this applies to

• Licences
• Permits
• Quota units
• Trawl effort units

Before you surrender

Check whether the type of licence you are planning to surrender can instead be transferred, either permanently or temporarily.

A policy of limited entry exists for most commercial fishing licences and fishery symbols.

This means that any new people wanting to join the industry, or any existing operators wanting to expand their business, will either have to buy or lease an existing licence as no new licences will be issued.

How to surrender

Complete the surrender of authority application.

You must return any original authorities currently held with your application or letter.

Queensland invoice fees must be paid up to the surrender date.

The application form must be signed by all of the individuals or entities that are recorded as the current holder.