back to Licences, authorities and permits for commercial fishing in Queensland
Torres Strait commercial fishing licences
Commercial fisheries in the Torres Strait Protected Zone are managed by the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). To fish commercially in the Torres Strait, you need at least one the following:
- Torres Strait Traditional Inhabitant Fishing Boat Licence
- Torres Strait Master Fisherman's Licence
- Torres Strait Fishing Boat Licence
Depending on how you run your operation, you may also require a Torres Strait Processor-Carrier Boat Licence.
On this page:
Which licence?
It depends whether you are a traditional inhabitant or a non-traditional commercial fisher.
If you are a traditional inhabitant . . .
As a traditional inhabitant, you can fish commercially on any boat that has a Torres Strait Traditional Inhabitant Fishing Boat Licence (TIB) "endorsed" (authorised) for one or more of these fisheries:
- Beche de mer
- Crab
- Tropical Rock Lobster
- Reef Line
- Spanish Mackerel
- Pearl Shell
- Trochus
The fisheries endorsed on the TIB licence are the only fisheries resources that can be taken commercially using that boat. Currently, maximum boat lengths apply to new applications for TIB licences in the following fisheries:
- Beche de mer (maximum boat length of 7 metres)
- Crab, (maximum boat length of 14 metres)
How do you get a TIB licence?
TIB licences are held by individual traditional inhabitants. You apply to DPI&F, which issues Torres Strait licences on behalf of the PZJA (see How to apply for, renew or amend a Torres Strait Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence).
TIB licences are issued for a twelve-month period and are renewable each year. TIB licences are also transferable - that is, they can be bought and sold. Transfer of a TIB licence must be advised to DPI&F through a formal application process involving fees and return of the existing licence (see How to transfer a Torres Strait Boat Licence).
Can you work in a commercial fishing operation if you are a traditional inhabitant?
Yes you can work on a boat which is licensed under a Torres Strait Fishing Boat Licence (TVH) but to do so you may require a Torres Strait Master Fisherman's Licence (TMJ). One person aboard each TVH-licensed boat (primary or tender) must hold a TMJ. If another person aboard the boat holds a TMJ, you will not need to hold one yourself. Both the TVH and TMJ must be endorsed for the fishery/ies in which you work (see How to apply for a Torres Strait Master Fisherman's Licence).
The PZJA has a policy of maximising the opportunities for participation by traditional inhabitants in all sectors of the fishing industry. Any growth in the Torres Strait fisheries is now reserved for traditional inhabitants.
If you are a non-traditional commercial fisher . . .
As a non-traditional commercial fisher, you can only enter the Torres Strait fisheries either by joining the crew of a boat licensed under a Torres Strait Fishing Boat Licence (TVH) or by buying an existing TVH licence. TVH licences are endorsed for one or more of the following fisheries:
- Tropical Rock Lobster
- Reef Line
- Spanish Mackerel
- Pearl Shell
- Prawn
Some TVH licences exist which no longer have any of these endorsements. Such licences can only operate in Torres Strait fisheries which are not covered by a Management Notice (for example, squid).
To work on a TVH licensed boat, you may also need to hold a Torres Strait Master Fisherman's Licence (TMJ) endorsed for the same fishery/ies as the TVH licence. One person aboard each TVH-licensed boat (primary or tender) must hold a TMJ. If another person aboard the boat holds a TMJ, you will not need to hold one yourself. In all but the prawn fishery, the granting of a new TMJ requires a nomination from the owner of a TVH operation, involving surrendering another licence in a one-for-one replacement scheme which keeps the number of TMJs issued to non-traditionals at a capped level. The TMJ licence is a personal licence and cannot be transferred (bought or sold) but it can be renewed when it is due to expire provided your nomination has not been revoked by the owner of the TVH operation aboard which you were nominated.
However, the TVH licence is transferable (see How to transfer a Torres Strait Boat Licence). It can be bought or sold with or without the boat but the tender boat licences must be transferred with the primary boat licence. It can also be renewed when it is due to expire.
Any TVH licensed operation consisting of a primary boat with tender boats requires a Torres Strait Processor-Carrier Boat Licence Class A (TPC-A). A TPC-A licence allows the primary boat to process and carry product taken using the tender boats. TPC-A licences are only transferable at the same time as the TVH licences if the same primary boat is being used by the transferee (buyer of the licences). See How to transfer a Torres Strait Boat Licence. If the transferee is introducing a new primary boat onto the TVH licence, the TPC-A licence held by the transferor (seller) must be surrendered, and the transferee must apply for a new TPC-A.
Also see:
- How to amend a Torres Strait Fishing Boat Licence
- How to Surrender an Authority
- How to apply for or renew Torres Strait Processor-Carrier Boat Licence
How do you get a licence?
Where do you go for more information?
Contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23. Our Business Information Centre staff will direct your inquiry to the appropriate licensing officer.
Last updated 30 January 2007
