Applying for a marine aquaculture lease and licence

Marine based aquaculture requires a lease and a licence. A lease grants the exclusive use of an area of water for marine aquaculture. A licence describes the activity that can be undertaken at the lease site.

Marine aquaculture leases

There are 4 types of marine aquaculture leases:

  • pilot lease
  • production lease
  • research lease
  • emergency lease.

Applications for aquaculture production leases within an aquaculture zone can only be made following a public call for applications, which must be endorsed by the Aquaculture Tenure Allocation Board (ATAB) before being assessed by PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Find out more about public call aquaculture production lease opportunities.

Marine aquaculture licences

There are 8 types of marine licences for South Australian waters:

1. Intertidal mollusc licence

Generally allows for the farming of molluscs and algae in waters close to the shore. Oysters are commonly authorised on this licence, with farming structures including baskets on racks and rails, and longlines.

A report outlines the List of approved devices for securing oyster culture units (PDF 584.7 KB) to farming structures.

2. Subtidal mollusc licence

Generally allows for the farming of molluscs and algae in waters offshore. The main species are:

  • mussels
  • scallops
  • oysters
  • algae.

3. Abalone licence

Generally allows for the farming of Abalone and algae in waters offshore using variable farming structures.

4. Finfish licence

Generally allows for the farming of finfish in waters offshore in sea-cages. The main species are:

  • yellowtail kingfish.

5. Tuna licence

Generally allows for the farming of Southern Bluefin Tuna and algae in waters offshore in sea-cages.

6. Algae licence

Generally allows for the farming of Algae in waters offshore using variable farming structures.

7. Tourism licence

Authorises aquaculture in waters inshore and offshore for the purposes of:

  • tourism.

8. Miscellaneous licence

Authorises aquaculture in waters inshore and offshore for the purposes of:

  • holding empty aquaculture farming structures.
  • temporary holding of stock in structures.

Applications for aquaculture leases and licences inside and outside a current aquaculture zone must be submitted directly to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture.

More information

See the marine lease and licence holder responsibilities.

Enquiries and application forms

For enquiries about the application process or to request an application form contact us.

Contact us

View all PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture contacts or contact us using details below.

(08) 8207 5332 pirsa.aquaculture@sa.gov.au
Page last reviewed: 30 Nov 2023

 


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