Charter fishing
Licences
A licence is required to operate any fishing tour activity which affects fish stocks. Paying guests on charter fishing tours are not required to hold a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence.
There are 2 kinds of fishing tour licences in Western Australia. The department restricts the number of available fishing tour licences to ensure the sustainability of valuable fish resources, and no new licences will be issued.
An FTOL allows guests on a boat-based charter to engage in fishing activities and take fish home at the end of the tour.
The restricted fishing tours licence is for charter operators who focus on eco-type activities, such as snorkelling or scuba diving, with limited fishing activity – fishing rods are not permitted.
These charter operators only allow for fish to be caught and eaten as a meal throughout the course of the tour. Tour participants are not allowed to take fish home with them at the end of the tour.
Transferring and varying fishing tour licences
All fishing tour licences are transferable and can be bought and sold. Research logbook returns must be up to date prior to the sale, purchase or transfer of charter licences.
In general, charter operators can vary fishing tour licences and upgrade or replace a vessel or nominated operators. However, there are some circumstances where it is not possible to make these changes.
To transfer or vary a fishing tour operator licence, or want more information about fishing tour authorisations, contact the department's Licensing Office.
Logbooks
As a condition of their licence, charter fishing operators must provide the department with monthly logbook records of all:
- fish caught and landed
- fish released
- fish caught and consumed on board.
This data is analysed by our scientists and gives the department an understanding of the industry's impact on fish resources and aquatic habitats.
Fishing tour operators can contact the department's Licensing Office to request a new logbook.
Detailed information about the number of licensed fishing tour operators operating in the state and their annual catch is available online.
View the State of the Fisheries ReportFishing rules on charter fishing tours
Recreational fishers onboard a fishing tour or restricted fishing tour must abide by recreational fishing rules. The only exception is for West Coast demersal scalefish.
While recreational fishing rules apply to the individual clients on fishing tours, there are also boundary and operational rules that apply to the tour operators. These rules vary, depending on the type of fishing tour licence an operator holds. It is important for licensed operators to have a clear understanding of these requirements.
Since 1 December 2024, licenced charter operators in the West Coast region have been able to fish for rock lobster and offer on board dining experiences. This is as a result of a 5 year trial that concluded in 2024 that was jointly developed by the WA Government, Recfishwest and the charter industry.
Charter operators in the West Coast region can:
- have 12 pots on board
- boat limit of up to 80 rock lobster. This also applies to dive-based rock lobster charter operators except in the waters of the Rottnest Island Reserve.
- set and bait lobster pots outside a fishing tour being conducted in order to provide a 'better' lobster experience for patrons.
The individual fisher bag limit of 8 lobsters (maximum) per passenger still applies.