Classes of permit for estuarine aquaculture
There are several different classes of aquaculture permit. The class of permit needed for estuarine aquaculture is:
Class A
This class of permit authorises extensive aquaculture on public water land (submerged Crown land). It primarily authorises oyster cultivation on aquaculture leases. 'Extensive aquaculture' means that supplementary feeding is not undertaken.
An oyster farmer may diversify their business by also holding a class C permit for an oyster nursery or a class H permit for an oyster hatchery. Refer to the land based permit page for more information on these classes of permit.
Permit conditions
All aquaculture permits have conditions that the permit holders must comply with. Standard and specific permit conditions can be viewed on the permit conditions page.
Permit holder responsibilities
Permit holders must be aware of their obligations under the Fisheries legislation.
- Fisheries Management Act 1994 No 38 - NSW Legislation (the Act)
- Fisheries Management (Aquaculture) Regulation 2024 (the Regulation)
If a permit holder does not meet their obligations, action may be taken against their aquaculture permit. For more information, see the permit and lease holder responsibilities sheet.