Licensing

Wildcatch

A PrimeSafe wildcatch licence is required for seafood businesses that harvest (catch) seafood for human consumption which is landed in Victoria.

Seafood businesses that harvest seafood under a Victorian Fisheries licence only will need to apply for a PrimeSafe Victorian wildcatch licence. Victorian wildcatch licences are categorised according to the species harvested. Where a business harvests various species, the higher order of species as defined below determines the licence category.

From 1 July 2018, harvesting and handling of live abalone and live rock lobster is exempt from PrimeSafe licensing.

Where a business harvests various species, the higher order of species as defined below determines the licence category.

  1. Crustaceans
  2. General - All species except abalone, crustaceans and noxious fish
  3. Noxious fish permit

Seafood businesses that harvest seafood under a Commonwealth Fisheries licence will need to apply for a PrimeSafe Commonwealth wildcatch licence. A PrimeSafe Commonwealth wildcatch licensee may also harvest seafood under a Fisheries Victoria licence(s).

Processing on a vessel is permitted but must be limited to the minimum required to preserve and maintain the seafood in a condition fit for sale.

Cooking of prawns and selling harvested seafood from a vessel at the point of unloading is also permitted.

Apply now

There are three ways to apply for a PrimeSafe licence:

  1. Fill out the application form in the PrimeSafe Licensee Portal by following the instructions in the How to use the Licensee Portal link below; or
  2. Download the application form, print, scan and email it to info@primesafe.vic.gov.au; or
  3. Fill in the form at the PrimeSafe office.

Wildcatch licence information