Charter fishing requirements
In Tasmania, a sea charter boat fishing business is considered a commercial business that supplies a boat platform for paying passengers to undertake recreational fishing.
Charter Boat fishing has no specific licence requirements under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (LMRMA), but charter participants must ensure they comply with all recreational fishing rules.
A charter business or crew must not catch fish and then provide them to paying passengers. Doing so is considered a commercial fishing activity, and requires the respective commercial fishing licences or permit.
Seafood tourism activities
Seafood tourism activities are those where the crew are involved in harvesting, supplying or processing fish for paying customers.
This is considered commercial fishing, and specific authorisations may be required under the LMRMA such as commercial licences, quota and permits.
For more information on seafood tourism activities please contact commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au
Future rules
In the future, NRE Tas may develop rules to manage the Charter Boat fishery. This may include registration, licences and catch reporting requirements.
FAQs
For the purposes of these frequently asked questions, charter fishing includes situations where paying clients participate in fishing or diving activities from a vessel, or from the shore.
What does a client of a charter fishing activity require?
All clients engaging in a recreational fishing activity require the appropriate recreational fishing licence(s), with bag, boat, possession and gear limits applying.
You can find the information about what fishing requires a licence and how to purchase a licence on the Recreational Sea Fishing Licences page. You can find information about recreatioanl fishing rules, including bag, boat, possession and gear limits on the Recreational Fishing page, in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide, or by downloading the Fishing Tas App.
Can a charter operator participate in the fishing activity?
The charter operator and associated crew cannot set fishing gear on behalf of a recreational fishing holder (the client).
If the charter operator was to participate in the fishing activity, the charter operator must hold the appropriate commercial fishing licence(s) and quota for the species being fished. Such as, Fishing Licence (Rock Lobster) or Fishing Licence (Abalone Dive).
The charter operator must also hold for a permit authorising the use of a commercial licence for charter tourism purposes prior. For fishing activities being undertaken from the shore, the charter operator must also hold a permit allowing for commercial fishing from shore without a fishing licence (vessel).
Is the charter operator required to comply with recreational fishing requirements?
Yes. The charter operator is to ensure that boat, bag, possession and gear limits are being adhered to.
When are permits required?
Permits are required when a fishing activity would otherwise contravene the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995. Examples of these include:
- When a commercial licence is required for charter fishing purposes.
- When a charter operator or employee is engaging in a fishing activity from a vessel, themselves or on behalf of a client.
- When a charter operator or employee is engaging in a fishing activity from shore, themselves or on behalf of a client.
- When a charter operator prepares, cooks and/or serves fish caught during the charter trip.
- When a charter operator prepares, cooks and/or serves pre-purchased fish during the charter trip.
Commercial Fisheries
Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au