NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Designated fishing activities

What is a designated fishing activity?

Designated fishing activities include commercial fishing activities relating to particular methods and/or locations including fish stocking.

How do you apply for approval?

Before a designated fishing activity can be undertaken, approval is needed from the Minister for Primary Industries.

Anyone who wishes to undertake a designated fishing activity needs to prepare a draft fishery management plan (which includes assessment of cumulative environmental impacts) and an environmental impact statement.

Following public exhibition of these documents, the department assesses the project and provides a report to the Minister for Primary Industries, who makes a decision on the proposal. If the Minister for Primary Industries is the proponent of the designated fishing activity, the Minister for Planning will determine the application.

Relevant legislation

Page last updated: 01/03/2023