Navigating Permit and Licensing for Seaweed Operations in

Tasmania

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The main government department(s) that provides guidance and information on establishing and operating a seaweed business in Tasmania:

Fishing Tasmania (wild harvest)

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (aquaculture)

COLLECTING SEAWEED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES?

Recreational seaweed harvesting is for personal use, not for commercial sale, like gardening, crafts, or small-scale consumption. If you are interested in understanding about licensing and permits for these activities

Seaweed cultivation in Tasmania operates under a transparent regulatory framework designed to safeguard the environment while encouraging commercial development. Whether through offshore lines or land-based tanks, cultivation requires strategic site selection, licenced seed stock, and adherence to government guidelines on marine resource management and biosecurity.

Tasmania has diverse marine ecosystems with over 750 species of seaweeds allowing for a wide range of seaweeds to be farmed for cultivation.

Key species

Asparagopsis armata N, W
Caulerpa spp. (SEA GRAPES) N, W
Chaetomorpha spp. N, W
Cladophora vagabunda N, A
Codium spp. (VELVET FINGERS) N, W
Durvillaea spp. (BULL KELPS) N, W, A
Ecklonia radiata (Golden Kelp) N, W
Grateloupia turuturu (Red Sea Lettuce) P, W
Lessonia corrugata N, W
Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp) N, W
Phyllospora comosa (Crayweed) W
Sargassum spp. (SARGASSUM) N, W
Ulva spp. (SEA LETTUCES) N, W
Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame (frond), Mekabu (sporophyll) and Kukiwakame (midrib)) P, W

KEY: N = Native, P = Pest, W = Wild, A = Aquaculture

Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

The Australian Aquatic Plant Names Standard (AS 5301) defines standard common names for seaweeds used commercially in Australia. This best-practice guide is foundational to the industry, facilitating effective communication and contributing to the sustainable management and production of these resources in addition to the health and safety of consumers.

Types of Seaweed Harvesting in Tasmania

COMMERCIAL SEAWEED WILD HARVEST & AQUACULTURE

Commercial seaweed harvesting involves collecting seaweed for business purposes, such as selling or processing into products.

Click here for information about licensing and permits for commercial seaweed operations

Recreational Seaweed COLLECTION

Recreational seaweed harvesting is for personal use, not for commercial sale, like gardening, crafts, or small-scale consumption.

Click here for information about licensing and permits for recreational seaweed collection

Commercial Seaweed Harvesting in Tasmania

To make things easier, we’ve summarised the main steps and agencies involved to help guide you through the requirements of establishing a seaweed enterprise in Tasmania

Information about licences and permits for commercial seaweed harvesting in Tasmania

Tasmania’s wild seaweed harvest is governed by the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 and the Fisheries (Marine Plant) Rules 2017 and supported by the Marine Plant Fishery Policy which together provide details where harvest can occur, which species may be collected, and any relevant quotas or methods.

Types of Wild Harvest

Beach-Cast

Kelp cast by wind, wave, and storm action on Tasmanian beaches, bays, shores, and rocky headlands can be commercially hand-collected under licence. Live kelp cannot be harvested from the water or the seabed.
Bull Kelps (Durvillaea potatorum and Durvillaea amatheiae) are the primary commercial species. It is collected by hand, sometimes with mechanical winches, and loaded into vehicles and trailers for transport to drying racks.

Licensing information, including application and variation forms, can be accessed at Marine Plant Fishery or by calling the Fisheries Compliance and Licensing Team. New applicants or existing licence holders who wish to vary their harvest locations are encouraged to contact the Commercial Marine Plant Fishery Team before application.

The 2024-25 Operational Guide for the Marine Plan fishery (Beach-Cast) provides more information about the beach-cast licensing process.

Diving for Undaria

The only live seaweed allowed to be harvested within Tasmanian waters is the Japanese brown algae Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame), declared a noxious weed/pest species under the Biosecurity Act 2019. To mitigate the risk of spreading, it can only be harvested by authorised persons. Licensed commercial divers hand collect Undaria pinnatifida under the authority of a fishing licence and the Undaria Group Permit issued by Biosecurity Tasmania. The Group Permit automatically applies to any holder of an Undaria fishing licence.

This guide provides more details about the licencing and permit requirements.

Contact information

Wild Fisheries Branch
Primary Industries & Water Division
Lands Building, Level 3, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000.
Phone: +61 (0)3 6165 3000
Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Information about licences and permits for commercial aquaculture seaweed operations in Tasmania

Before you start a seaweed aquaculture operation:

As every application differs, your first step should be to contact the Aquaculture Branch at the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment. A staff member will explain the process and provide tailored advice relevant to your specific enquiry.
You must secure a supply of seaweed seed stock from a licenced hatchery and identify how and where you plan to farm that seaweed. There is an option to apply for a permit for wild seedstock collection if unable to obtain it from a hatchery.
You can also apply for a permit to undertake seaweed research trials before developing a fully licensed farm.

The Application Process

Here are the main steps involved in the application process:

be familiar with the existing Marine Farming Development Plan covering the area of interest. This provides information about each aquaculture zone and the relevant management controls that apply
acquire a marine farming lease (this can also be via a sub-lease arrangement)
acquire a marine farming licence that may include a police check
conduct any environmental studies that may be required
pay any associated fees and levies
have access to an established authorised shore base or the relevant authorisations to establish one (note: shore bases may be regulated by Biosecurity Tasmania and require a Crown Land lease/licence to allow foreshore access)

Find more information about making an application for establishing an aquaculture operation in Tasmania.

Contact information

Aquaculture Branch
Primary Industries & Water Division
Lands Building, Level 3, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000.
+61 (03) 6165 3110
mfops@nre.tas.gov.au

Some other useful resources

We have included links to some resources that are relevant to this state, but additional publications can be found in Seaweed Central, so please search the Knowledge Hub.

Seaweed Aquaculture Governance in Australia

2024-25 Operational Guide for the Marine Plan fishery (Beach-Cast)

2024-25 Operational Guide for the Commercial Dive, Shellfish and Undaria Fisheries

Planning for seaweed aquaculture in Tasmania

For more information about key species in Tasmania

Seaweed Aquaculture Governance in Australia Report 2023

This report emphasises the significant role of governance in shaping Australia’s seaweed aquaculture industry.

Quick Links to Key Legislation Information

We have included links to the key legislation for this state, but additional regulations may apply depending on the type of seaweed activities or operations you are undertaking.

Tasmanian Government

Australian Government

What is recreational harvesting and do I need a licence?

Recreational harvesters of beach-cast seaweed (seaweed that is cast by wind, wave and storm action upon Tasmanian beaches, bays, shores, and rocky headlands) do not require a licence if the following is met:

You only take for private use and not for profit or commercial use.
Only take from public access beaches or where the landholder has permitted beach access
A daily limit of 100 kilograms per person per day.
Not taken from Marine Nature Reserves.
Not taken if it is in the water or attached to the seabed.

Seaweed found on beaches is not considered food-safe as it is impossible to predict how long the seaweed has been beach-cast or whether it may have come into contact with contaminants.

+61 (03) 123 456 789 email@tas.gov.au

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The information provided on this portal is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Users are advised to conduct their own research and consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on this information.

Seaweed Central is supported by funding from the FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government’s Developing Australia’s Seaweed Farming Grant Program.

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