Non-endemic (non-native) fish
Once established, pest species are usually impossible to eradicate. Non-endemic fish species could also originate from facilities where no disease monitoring is in place and subsequently could spread significant diseases, affecting WA’s disease status for trading purposes, and adversely impacting on WA endemic species or aquaculture operations.
Application for importing and keeping live fish
The system manages three main ways to legally translocate (move) live non-endemic fish into and within Western Australia. You will need:
- an Automated Translocation Approval (which you will receive immediately); or
- a Streamlined Translocation Approval; or
- a Standard Translocation Approval.
If you cannot not meet the requirements for an Automated Approval, you may still be eligible for another type of approval and the system will redirect you to submit either a Streamlined or Standard Translocation Application. The resulting application will be sent to the Department's Translocation Officer for processing.
Need to move your fish? Apply online
This process is a fast-tracked way to receive approval if you are planning to translocate fish for the following 3 purposes:
- live seafood trade
- non-commercial aquaculture (including non-commercial aquaponics)
- non-commercial stocking in farm dams
You can apply online for an Automated Translocation Approval if you meet certain conditions and intend to translocate rainbow or brown trout into low-risk areas. You should receive your approval immediately. You can also apply if you meet certain conditions and intend to translocate whitelisted species into low-risk areas – see the conditions and species list by applying online.
The Standard Translocation Approval process is used when you do not meet some or all of the criteria required for an Automated or Streamlined Translocation Approval (i.e. the species is not on the relevant White List or you cannot meet the conditions) or you are applying to translocate fish for a purpose other than non-commercial aquaculture, stocking into farm dams or the live seafood trade.
If this is the case, the system will automatically direct you to the correct application form for a standard translocation approval.
If you are applying for another purpose, you can also choose the ‘Other’ translocation type at the start of the online application.
Automated approvals will be sent to you immediately after you have submitted your application form. Streamlined approvals may take up to 10 days and standard approvals longer as risk assessment may be required.
If you intend to translocate fish that don’t meet the criteria for a Streamlined Translocation Approval or a Standard Translocation Approval or is not on any of the department’s lists, you may need to apply for a Translocation Authority. This is a more complex process, as a thorough risk assessment and consultation may need to be carried out.
A Translocation Authority is usually required for translocations on a large scale, or when the applicant intends to use the species for an activity purpose used only on rare occasions, or the species to be used is of a higher or unknown biosecurity risk.
There is a fee when applying for a Translocation Authority. For further information, or to obtain an application pack for a Translocation Authority, please contact the Translocation Officer.
If you are unsure whether you meet the required criteria for a Translocation Approval, or need assistance to apply for a Translocation Authority, contact the Translocation Officer.
Types of fish
For the purposes of translocation, and as defined in the FRMA, ‘live fish’ refers to an aquatic organism of any species (whether alive or dead) and includes:
- the eggs, spat, spawn, seeds, spores, fry, larva or other source of reproduction or offspring of an aquatic organism
- a part only of an aquatic organism (including the shell or tail)
- live rock and live sand
It does not include aquatic mammals, aquatic reptiles, aquatic birds, amphibians or (except in relation to Part 3 and Division 1 of Part 11 of the FRMA) pearl oysters.
To protect our waters from the spread of invasive species, some non-endemic fish are banned from being imported into or kept in WA. These species are listed as ‘noxious’ under schedule 5 of the FRMR.
Under the FRMA you must not do the following with any noxious fish:
- keep, breed, hatch or culture them
- have them in your possession
- consign or convey them
- release them into any waters
- put them into a container or receptacle in which they might remain alive.
Penalties of $10,000 and above apply for possessing or releasing noxious fish. Any fish currently on the noxious fish list should not be in circulation. If you are in possession of a noxious fish it is essential that you do not release them, or any ornamental fish into waterways.
These fish are also unsuitable for import or keeping in WA as they meet the following criteria:
- are not native to Australia
- are listed as noxious fish elsewhere in Australia
- are not included in Part 1 of the Australia Government Live Import List (see below)
- have not established populations in the wild in WA.
List of high-risk non-endemic fish
Live Import List - Department of Climate Change, Energy, and Environment and Water
To import or move within WA non-endemic fish that pose an acceptable level of risk, you will need written approval or authority under regulation 176 of the FRMR.
The Department has developed an online application and approval system to manage applications for translocation approvals from the Chief Executive Officer for purposes including:
- Live seafood trade
- Non-commercial aquaculture (including non-commercial aquaponics)
- Non-commercial stocking in farm dams
Translocation approvals may also be granted for specific species if they are covered by specific management arrangements outlined in a series of Fisheries Management Papers.
Australian Government Live Import List
The live import list is a national list of species that are allowed to be brought into Western Australia. If the species you wish to import is not on Part 1 of this list, please contact the Translocation Officer and we will let you know if the species can be brought into WA.
Related documents
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Barramundi
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Rainbow trout and brown trout
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Silver perch
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All coral species
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Live rock
Meeting the requirements of the FRMA and BAM Act
In WA, fish are principally regulated under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA) and the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (FRMR). In relation to the import and movement of live fish within the state, noxious fish and non-endemic fish are regulated based on the species of fish. This translocation system is designed to assist you with this.
The import of fish as potential carriers is also regulated under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act), based on the risk presented by what fish may be carrying (e.g. disease, other organisms) and the medium they are transported in (e.g. water that may contain other organisms).
Unlisted species
To enquire about species not covered by the lists above, please contact the Translocation Officer for more information.