Shellfish Fishery

​​Current Season total allowable catch

​Species 
​Location​

TAC for 2022/23 season
​Pacific oysters
​State-wide
NA​
​​Native oyster (Ostrea angasi)​
​Georges Bay
25,330 dozen
Venerupis Clams 
​Georges Bay North Clam Zone
840 kg
Katelysia ​cockles 
​Ansons Bay Cockle Zone
0 kg

Overview 

The commercial shellfish fishery selectively harvests four key species by hand, either by diving from small vessels or wading. The harvest locations are restricted to areas that were historically identified through an extensive research and Permitting process, as being best able to support a fishery.

This low-quantity fishery puts high-quality and sought-after product into boutique markets.


Native oyster diver

Managing the fishery 



The Tasmanian shellfish fishery is managed under the provisions of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995​ and Fisheries (Shellfish) Rules 2017.

Minimum size limits ensure animals can spawn multiple times before they enter the fishery. 

Angasi oysters: 70 mm minimum shell length

Venerupis clams: 40 mm minimum shell length

Katelysia cockles: 32 mm minimum shell length

The total allowable commercial catch (TAC) per species is set annually using stock survey data. Once a TAC is reached, the commercial fishery for that species is closed for the remainder of the licensing year.

There are only a handful of licences – two each for native oysters and clams, and one for cockles. 

There is no cap on the number of wild Pacific oyster licences that can be issued, but operators are bound by the requirements of the ShellMAP program which may restrict viable harvesting areas. Operators within the shellfish fishery must also be licenced commercial divers​.​


More information 

Commercial Shellfish fishery assessment reports: 

IMAS Small Bivalve Assessment Reports​ 

Shellfish Fishery Policy Document (1.47 MB)

  Shellfish Policy Update 2017   (338Kb)​​​


    Contact

    Commercial Shellfish Management
    Level 3, 134 Macquarie Street
    GPO Box 44
    Hobart TAS 700
    ​Phone: 0457 124 668
    Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au​​​

    Hotline

    Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

    0427 655 557

    What to report? arrow button

    Contact us

    Recreational Fishing

    Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

    Hobart TAS 7000

    Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

    Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

    Commercial Fisheries

    Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

    GPO Box 44

    Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

    Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

    Commercial Fisheries Licensing

    Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

    GPO Box 44

    Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

    Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au