Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries

How to inspect the Fisheries Register of Authorities and Fisheries Developmental Approvals

Details of authorities (licences, permits, and quota holdings) for commercial fishing, and developmental approvals are held in the Fisheries Register of Authorities and Fisheries Developmental Approvals.

You can search the register by either of the following options:

• On-line at FishNet for details of individual commercial fishing authorities, or basic lists of authorities of the same type, or
• Applying to have Fisheries conduct the search on your behalf (fees apply), if your search is more complex or relates to developmental approvals.

Information that you can obtain include (not all options are available on-line):

• The authority type, number, and conditions, and the name and postal address of the holder of an authority or developmental approval
• A list of boats authorised to operate in a particular fishery, or people authorised to conduct a type of fisheries-related activity
• A certificate to use as evidence in a legal proceeding, giving official endorsement to the information provided.

How much does it cost?

The fee for this service varies according to the type of search you wish to conduct (individual search or group listing search), the form you want the information supplied in (printed out, compact disk, or email), and whether you also need a certificate to use in legal proceedings. For advice about the costs please contact the relevant unit:

• For searches relating to Commercial Fisheries call Licensing Unit on 07 3247 5540 or fax 07 3229 8182
• For searches relating to Aquaculture or Habitat call either:
  • Southern Fisheries Centre at Deception Bay on 07 3817 9505 or fax 07 3817 9555, or
  • Northern Fisheries Centre at Cairns on 07 4035 0112 or fax 07 4035 1401.

There is no fee charged if you conduct the search yourself on-line via FishNet.

Are you considering entering a particular fishery?

If you are obtaining information through a search of the register to determine whether you want to enter a particular fishery, check with Fisheries first about likely changes to management arrangements for the fishery.

How do you apply to have Fisheries conduct the search on your behalf?

Print out the Inspect Register of Authorities and Fisheries Developmental Approvals Application( PDF, 29kB) and follow the steps below. This will ensure that you don't overlook anything and therefore will allow your application to be processed as quickly as possible.

1. Applicant Details:

• Complete your name and full contact details.
  • Note: The staff member conducting the search on your behalf may need to contact you to clarify the details of the application you submit.

2. Applicant Declaration:

• Complete details in either the box which most accurately describes the type of search you wish to conduct:
  • An individual search of the Register of Authorities allows you to obtain information about one specific authority or a number of authorities held by a Fisheries client. Please supply as much detail as you can about the authority holder (name and address), the authority number, or the boat (name or boat mark) in which you are interested in obtaining or confirming information.
  • A group listing search from the Register of Authorties allows you to nominate a class of authority (for example: commercial fishing boat licence, commercial harvset fishery licence, charter fishing licence, developmental permit) or a fishery for which you want to know all the operators. You can narrow the search results to a specific region by indicating a range of postcodes which cover the area in which you are interested. If the information will be provided to you as a printout, you should indicate what order you would like the information presented (for example: by postcode, or by boat mark).
  • A search of the Register of Fisheries Developmental Approvals allows you to obtain information about developmental approvals which relate to aquaculture or habitat. Provide as many specific details as you can.
  • Tick the box or boxes to indicate the format you want the information supplied in (fees vary).
  • If you require the information for use in legal proceedings, you can ask to have a certificate of the findings (fees apply)
  • Enter the amount of the fee (as quoted to you by the relevant Unit contacted via the numbers provided above).
  • Date and sign the application.

3. Turn to page two of the application

• Tick the boxes next to all the information relevant to your search
  • Please note that legislation restricts what information can be released to the public about authorities and their holders. Only the information indicated on page two of the application can be released. Residential addresses and telephone details remain confidential to DPI&.

4. Provide payment for the search fee (note that no fees apply to on-line searches conducted yourself)

• Payment can be made by cheque or money order (made payable to DPI&F) or by completing credit card details in the space provided at the bottom of the application form (note: the credit card holder must sign this section of the application).

5. Check that you have completed both pages of the application and attached payment before posting them to:

   Fisheries
   Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
   GPO Box 2764
   Brisbane Qld 4001

Where do you go for more information?

Contact the DPI&F on 13 25 23. Our call centre staff will direct your inquiry to the appropriate licensing officer.

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Last updated 11 October 2007