

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:
- Torres Strait Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence
- Torres Strait Fishing Boat Licence
- Sunset Fishing Licence
- Torres Strait Master Fisherman's Licence
- Carrier Boat Licences
- Fish Receiver Licences
- Quota
- Torres Strait Licence Register
- Scientific Permits
- Development Permits
- Torres Strait Commercial Fishing Application Forms
- Torres Strait Commercial Fishing Fees