Apply for Section 37 Permits

What is a Section 37 Permit?

A Section 37 permit is required for any activity that involves taking or possessing fish or marine vegetation that would otherwise be unlawful under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. This includes activities such as:

• Science or Research Collection
• Aquarium Collection
• Possessing Pacific Oysters
• Collecting Marine Vegetation for Commercial Purposes
• Any other collecting activities that are unlawful under the Fisheries Management Act 1994

Permits are also required for certain activities in Marine Parks. If unsure whether a permit is required for a proposed activity in a marine park please contact the Marine Park Authority on 1300 550 474.

As part of issuing permits, NSW DPI has a statutory responsibility under Section 111 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979to assess the environmental impacts of activities authorised by permits. To assess these impacts, NSW DPI requires the applicant for the permit to prepare an environmental assessment. See below for more details.

Note: This section does not cover permits for Aquaculture or Commercial Activities.

How to apply for a Section 37 Permit

To apply for a permit, please complete an application form below. This must be completed in full and accompanied by:

• an environmental assessment (REF Proforma)
• the relevant permit application fee (see the current fee schedule for Aquaculture permits or fee schedule for miscellaneous permits).

Environmental Assessments

NSW DPI has a statutory responsibility under Section 111 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to assess the environmental impacts of activities authorised by permits. To assess the likely impacts of a fishing related activity NSW DPI requires a Review of Environmental Factors (“REF”) to be prepared.

The REF is prepared by the permit applicant and submitted to NSW DPI for review. The REF will be used by NSW DPI to make an assessment of the likely environmental impacts of the activity. A REF should be sufficiently detailed to enable NSW DPI to examine and take into account to the fullest possible extent all matters affecting or likely to affect the environment by reason of the proposed activity.

Please complete the REF proforma below (under the Proforma heading) and submit with your application. The REF guidelines provide further information and will assist you in completing the REF.

Application forms

Proforma

Collection summary forms

If you need further information on Section 37 permits or an Environmental Assessment, please contact NSW DPI on 02 4982 1232, or email: fisheries.permits@dpi.nsw.gov.au.