Ocean Fishery
Fishery Overview
The Ocean Fishery is fishery established to manage commercial fishing activity in marine waters off Victoria, excluding Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes, and any sea inlets. The Ocean Fishery Access Licence allows holders to target a wide range of marine species using approved fishing methods under strict catch and effort controls.
Target Species
The licence supports a multi-species fishery, including high-value and diverse species such as:
- King George whiting
- Snapper
- Flathead,
- Gummy shark
- Australian salmon
- Kingfish
Some species are subject to strict Commonwealth and State-level catch limits.
Prohibited Species
The following species may not be targeted or retained under this licence:
- Abalone
- Bass groper
- Black, oxeye, smooth spikey and warty oreo dory
- Blue grenadier
- Bug
- Gemfish
- Giant crab
- Hapuku
- Jellyfish
- King dory
- Marlin (all species) and swordfish
- Northern and southern bluefin tuna
- Octopus
- Orange roughy
- Pipi
- Rock lobster
- Scallop
- Sea urchin
Specific species and limits are updated periodically based on ecological assessments.
| Management Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Licence Details |
Geographic Area: Marine waters excluding inshore areas such as Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, and the Gippsland Lakes |
| Authorised Fishing Equipment | Licence holders may use the following gear, subject to specific restrictions:
Seine nets and Mesh nets (with restrictions on net length and usage) |
| Catch Controls | To ensure sustainable harvest and protect vulnerable species, the following catch limits apply:
Minimum size limits apply to select species |
| Effort Controls | To prevent overfishing and reduce ecological impact:
Leasing of licences is prohibited |
| Monitoring & Compliance |
Further details on VMS can be found at Vessel Monitoring Systems - VFA |
Summary
The Ocean Fishery Access Licence is designed to balance economic opportunity for commercial fishers with environmental responsibility. Through limited entry, gear restrictions, and rigorous monitoring, the system supports the long-term health of Victoria's offshore fisheries and marine ecosystems.