Selling your catch is illegal

Selling fish without a commercial fishing license is illegal in South Australia.

You must not sell or attempt to sell your recreational fishing catch. This includes bait and shellfish.

As a recreational fisher you must not:

• sell, barter or exchange fish
• advertise or offer fish for sale
• send, deliver or consign fish for sale.

You must not sell your catch over social media. This includes platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

Why must I not sell my catch?

Selling recreationally caught fish undermines:

• the legitimate commercial fishing sector
• the livelihoods of licensed commercial operators
• our shared fisheries resource.

It also affects fish stocks and threatens the sustainability of our fisheries.

Illegal seafood networks negatively influence the availability and price of seafood for customers. These networks also pose a health risk to consumers.

What happens if I'm caught selling fish without a commercial licence?

There are significant consequences to sellers and buyers of illegal take.

Both the fisher and buyer could face:

• significant fines
• seizure of property associated with the offending
• potential jail terms.

For more information view the Fisheries Management Act 2007.

How do I report the illegal selling of fish?

Report immediately to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522 if you:

• are approached by a recreational fisher trying to sell their catch
• suspect a seafood business is sourcing its seafood illegally
• view any illegal take for sale activity.