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 () 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.