Licensing

The licencing section of the PZJA website contains information about Torres Strait commercial fishing licences and other relevant licence types. Including information on how to apply for new licences, renew a licence, change the details of existing licences, and transfer licences.

The licences are for use in commercial fisheries in the Australian area of the Torres Strait Protected Zones (TSPZ). 

These fisheries are managed under the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 by the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) issues licences for these fisheries on behalf of the PZJA.

Traditional Inhabitants can enter any Torres Strait commercial fishery, except the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, by obtaining a Traditional Inhabitant Boat (TIB) licence. A Traditional Inhabitant entering the Prawn Fishery must buy an existing licence with a prawn entry.

Non-traditional inhabitants who want to enter a Torres Strait commercial fishery must buy an existing licence.

All Torres Strait commercial licensing enquiries should be directed to AFMA on 1300 723 621.

Download the Guide to Licensing Arrangements in the Torres Strait.

Torres Strait fishery entries

Fishing and carrier licences have entries, also known as symbols, which detail what fisheries the Licence is issued for. The entries for the Torres Strait commercial fisheries are: 

Symbol Description
BD Beche-de-mer fishery
CB Crab fishery
CR Tropical rock lobster fishery
LN Reef line fishery
MK Spanish mackerel fishery
PL Pearl shell fishery
PR Prawn fishery
TR Trochus fishery

Maps of these fishery areas and management arrangements can be found on the Fisheries Maps page. 

To find information on how to apply for new licences, renew a licence, change the details of existing licences, and transfer licences click on the relevant licence below: