Operators in commercial fisheries and aquaculture in Western Australia must be licensed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Licence fees ensure an appropriate return to the community for a degree of exclusive access to community resources (fish or water) for commercial purposes. Industry also benefits from our management and research to help ensure Western Australia’s fisheries remain sustainable and profitable.
All the funds raised from commercial licences are used only for the purposes set out in the Fisheries Research and Development Account (established under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994), which includes commercial fishing and aquaculture management, enforcement, community education, research and monitoring of fishing activity. The funds cannot be used for recreational fishing.
We work closely with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to consult with industry, to identify annual priorities for resourcing and ensure they are involved in management processes.