Quota is another name for fishing capacity, which can be granted by the PZJA as ‘units of fishing capacity.’ These units can translate to either a catch or use (fishing effort) entitlement, depending on the fishery.
Torres Strait prawn fishery quota
In the prawn fishery, units of fishing capacity are translated to fishing days that can be used only in a given fishing season. The conversion between units of fishing capacity and fishing days is different each season. Seasons run from 6 pm on 1 February to 6 pm on 1 December.
If you do not use all of your fishing days in one season, it will not affect your fishing days in the next season.
To fish for prawn, you must have unused fishing days and a fishing boat licence with a prawn fishery (PR) entry.
Fishing days can be temporarily or permanently transferred between holders of a Torres Strait fishing boat license with a prawn fishery (PR) entry. A temporary transfer does not change ownership of the units and only has effect during the current fishing season.
- Temporary transfer: Application for Temporary Transfer of Units of Fishing Capacity (PDF, 350 KB)
- Permanent transfer: Application for Permanent Transfer of Units of Fishing Capacity (PDF, 363 KB)
Torres Strait tropical rock lobster fishery quota
The tropical rock lobster (TRL) fishery operates under a quota management system. The amount of catch that can be taken under a quota unit is determined each fishing season.
If you catch less lobsters in one season than the maximum that your quota allows, it will not affect how many you can catch in the next season.
To fish for TRL, you must have unused quota and a fishing licence with a TRL entry. If you are a Traditional Inhabitant, you may instead fish unused quota held by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) if applicable.
Units of quota can be temporarily or permanently transferred between holders of a fishing license with a TRL entry. A temporary transfer does not change ownership of the units and only has effect during the current fishing season.
- Temporary transfer: Application to register a Temporary Transfer of unused Tropical Rock Lobster Quota Units (PDF, 408 KB)
- Permanent transfer: Application to register a Permanent Transfer of Tropical Rock Lobster Quota Units (PDF, 518 KB)