Marine Environmental Licence Renewals

​​​​​​​​Environmental Licence Renewal Process

Environmental licences are issued under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 to operators of marine finfish farms operating in State waters. Environmental licences are issued for a term and prior to their expiry, environmental licence holders are required to submit a renewal application.

For an environmental licence renewal application to be valid, the licence holder must submit an application that is in an approved form at least 60 days prior to the environmental licence expiry date.

If a valid application for renewal has been submitted by the environmental licence holder, the licence remains in force until the Director has made a decision to renew, or to refuse to renew, the licence.

The Director may renew an environmental licence if the Director is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so.

The Director may refuse to renew an environmental licence if the Director is satisfied that the applicant for renewal of the licence –

  • has contravened the conditions and restrictions of the licence in the 5-year period immediately before the application for renewal of the licence is made; or

  • has, within the 5-year period before the day on which the licence is renewed, been convicted of an offence against –

    • the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994; or

    • any other Act; or

    • a law of another state, a territory, or the Commonwealth, that relates to the protection of the environment –
      which the Director considers to be an offence relevant to the holding of the licence; or

  • is not a fit and proper person to hold an environmental licence; or

  • has not paid any fees that are due and payable under this Act, in relation to the licence, by the person.​

​Current Environmental Licences Under Renewal Consideration

Macquarie Ha​​rbour – on 30 November 2023, the Director decided to renew all environmental licences within Macquarie Harbour.

Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay – On 15 December 2023, the Director decided to renew the environmental licence for the Long Bay lease. 

D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon and Port Esperance – On 15 December 2023, the Director decided to renew the environmental licences for The Sheppards and Simmonds Point leases. On 15 January 2024, the EPA renewed the environmental licences for the remaining leases due to expire 30 November 2023.

Sto​rm Bay – On 15 January 2024, the EPA renewed the environmental licences due to expire 30 November 2028.

Okehampton Bay – On 15 January 2024, the EPA renewed the environmental licence for the Okehampton Bay lease.