Leasing and licensing
Lease and licence regulations promote ecologically sustainable development of our aquaculture industry.
Marine and land-based aquaculture requires a licence in South Australia. Leases are also required for marine aquaculture.
Leases and licences include conditions that must be followed.
Lease and licence applications
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture takes applications for:
- new land-based licences
- new marine aquaculture lease and licences
- converting a lease
- division of a lease or licence
- movement of a lease
- amalgamation of lease or licence
- transfer of lease or licence
- surrender of a lease or licence
- varying lease or licence conditions for different species or farming structure.
Note: Pursuant to the Aquaculture Act 2001 PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is unable to consider aquaculture applications for the division, movement, or amalgamation of an aquaculture lease, if the aquaculture lease site is associated with a lease for a land title registered under the Real Property Act 1886. To assist in determining whether an aquaculture lease site is associated visit AgInsight.
Fees
All lease and licences have fees that are reviewed annually:
Assessment process
A 2-week consultation process is undertaken for the following types of applications:
- new marine aquaculture lease and licence
- new land-based aquaculture licence
- movement of a lease
- variation of licence conditions (species or farming structures).
Stakeholder notification
Stakeholders are notified about applications, including but not limited to:
- the general public via local newspaper or PIRSA’s aquaculture community consultation webpage (legislated for new applications only)
- relevant fishing and aquaculture industry bodies
- local councils
- lease and licence holders in the aquaculture zone.
Notification includes enough details of the application to identify potential conflicts or concerns about the proposal. The application is also referred to other South Australian government agencies.
Risk assessments
All new applications have an ecologically sustainable development (ESD) risk assessment. This is based on a nationally accredited framework to assess the sustainability of the activity in relation to its potential impact on the environment.
Up to 36 risk events (e.g. habitat effects, interactions, alienation, nutrients) across site and regional scales are assessed. The following are used:
- existing legislation (e.g. regulations, policies)
- current scientific literature and advice, if required
- consultation and engagement with internal and external stakeholders
- referrals to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
- other government departments, as required.
Risk events requiring assessment for an application are determined on a case-by-case basis. This depends on the type of application (e.g. new, lease movement, variation of licence conditions).
PIRSA follows internal ESD risk assessment guidelines for individual applications – see an example: Finfish farming in Fitzgerald Bay.
Licence holder information
- Aquaculture public register
- PIRSA services to aquaculture industry
- Applying to extend a production lease term.
Enquiries and application forms
For enquiries about the application process or to request an application form contact us.