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Government of Western Australia - Department of Fisheries

How to apply to translocate fish

We now have a faster, simpler approval system for the stocking of trout into farm dams and closed aquaponics systems for non-commercial purposes.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has developed a new automated approval system for the stocking of trout for non-commercial purposes into farm dams and closed aquaponics systems.

If you wish to translocate rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) or brown trout (Salmo trutta) for non-commercial purposes (i.e. for your own personal consumption, not to on-sell) into farm dams and closed aquaponics systems:

  • Contact a licensed aquaculture facility that sells trout and place your order.
  • Begin the online application which will check that the suburb where you plan to stock the trout is in a low-risk area. 
  • If it is, you will be able to proceed to the form for a Streamlined Translocation Approval.
  • You can then select either stocking into farm dams or stocking into closed aquaponics systems.
  • If you indicate that you can meet ALL of the conditions in the form, you will be able to submit the form.
  • You and the licensed aquaculture facility will immediately receive an automated approval by email.
  • You should take this email along when you go to collect your trout.

If the suburb is not in a low-risk area or you cannot meet the conditions, you will be redirected to complete the standard application form, and you will receive a reply within 10 working days.​

If you have any questions, please contact DPIRD at translocation@fish.wa.gov.au, or phone 1300 374 731 (1300 DPIRD1).

The translocation process

We have processes to ensure risks associated with translocation of live fish are minimised. If you receive Translocation Approval, there are conditions you must abide by, otherwise legal action may be taken.

There are three ways to legally translocate (move) live non-endemic fish in Western Australia. You will need:

  • a Streamlined Translocation Approval; or
  • a Standard Translocation Approval; or
  • a Translocation Authority.

Streamlined Translocation Approval

This process is a fast-tracked way to receive approval if you are planning to translocate fish for the following four activities:

  • Non-commercial aquaculture (including non-commercial aquaponics)
  • Commercial aquaculture
  • The restaurant trade
  • Non-commercial stocking of rainbow and brown trout in farm dams, which now includes a faster simpler approval system - see below.

You can apply for a Streamlined Translocation Approval if you meet certain conditions and intend to translocate a certain species that is included on the appropriate White List. The application process is free of charge.

To find out if your intended activity is suitable for a Streamlined Translocation Approval, read the relevant guidelines:

Applying for a Streamlined Translocation Approval

If your intended activity is suitable for a Streamlined Translocation Approval for species other than trout for non-commercial purposes, you can apply onlineor for non-commercial stocking of rainbow and brown trout in farm dams, you can use the faster simpler approval system

Standard Translocation Approval

 
The Standard Translocation Approval process is used when you do not meet some or all of the criteria outlined in any of the guidelines for a Streamlined Translocation Approval (i.e. the species is not on the relevant White List or you cannot meet the conditions).
 
The Standard Translocation Approval process usually takes less than 10 business days to process. The application process is free of charge.  

To find out if your intended activity is suitable for a Standard Translocation Approval, read the guidelines below.

Applying for a Standard Translocation Approval 

If your intended activity is suitable for a Standard Translocation Approval, 

Translocation Authority

If you intend to translocate fish that don’t meet the criteria for a Streamlined Translocation Approval or a Standard Translocation Approval, 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 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 our Translocation Officer by telephone or email translocation@fish.wa.gov.au

 
 

Last modified: 19/05/2023 2:52 PM

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