Commercial fisheries

Get all the details on each commercial fisheries industry currently active in South Australian waters, plus information on cost recovery policies in place.

Details of all fisheries license holders are available on the Public Register.

  • Abalone fishery >

    South Australian commercial abalone fishery takes Greenlip and Blacklip Abalone. Get key information related to abalone commercial fisheries and zones.

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  • Blue crab fishery >

    Blue crab fishery takes blue crabs in South Australia using crab pots and bait nets. Get key information on licensing, management and regulation of blue crab fisheries.

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  • Charter boat fishery >

    Charter boat fishing is considered a commercial platform for recreational fishing and is managed through a licensing and registration system. Find out about fishing limits, rules and closures applicable to charter boat fishing.

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  • Lake Eyre Basin fishery >

    There is one licensed commercial fishing venture in the Lake Eyre Basin in the lower Cooper Creek area. Find out about management of the area.

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  • Lakes and Coorong fishery >

    The Lakes and Coorong fishery is a multi-species and multi-method fishery, with both native and exotic species taken. Find out about management, licensing and regulation of this zone.

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  • Marine scalefish fishery >

    The commercial Marine Scalefish fishery (MSF) is a multi-species and multi-gear fishery. Find out about management plus the recent MSF Reform strategy undertaken.

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  • Miscellaneous fishery >

    The Miscellaneous fishery includes species that are not in management arrangements of existing commercial fisheries, specialised fisheries, multiple types of fishing gear.

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  • Prawn fishery Gulf of St Vincent >

    King prawns are taken in the Gulf St Vincent by this fishery, with prawns caught by trawlers at night. No new commercial licenses are currently available. Find out more.

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  • Prawn fishery Spencer Gulf and West Coast >

    King prawns are taken in the Spencer Gulf and on the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula by these fisheries. No new commercial licenses are currently available. Learn more.

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  • River fishery >

    The River fishery operates in the River Murray and its backwaters between the town of Wellington and the Victorian border. There are no new licenses available for the River Fishery and licenses are not transferrable. Find out more.

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  • Rock lobster fishery >

    The South Australian Rock Lobster fishery is separated into the northern and southern zones and is based on the capture of Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii). Get key details on the management of this fishery.

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  • Sardine fishery >

    The South Australian sardine fishery targets the Australian Sardine and is a component of the Marine Scalefish Fishery. There are no new licenses available. Find out more.

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  • Vongole fishery >

    The Vongole Fishery consists of the taking of Vongole (Mud Cockle) in a Vongole fishing zone. There are 3 fishing zones, and no new available licences.

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  • Services to industry >

    To ensure the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture resources and to maximise returns to the community of South Australia from their use, a Cost Recovery Policy for commercial fishing is in place, operated by PIRSA. Learn more about the policy.

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  • Fishwatch Hotline

    Call the Fishwatch Hotline for information about:

    • rules and regulations
    • licensing and registration
    • reporting shark sightings

    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    Freecall 1800 065 522 Go to Reporting (Fishwatch)
    Page last reviewed: 26 Apr 2022

     


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