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About land-based fish farms

This page covers commercial aquaculture above the mean high-water mark of marine and freshwater species. This includes finfish, shellfish, seaweed, and other aquatic life "fish" that will be harvested for sale. You'll need a fish-farm licence if your activities include:

  • breeding
  • hatching
  • cultivating
  • rearing
  • ongrowing.

What if I don't plan to sell fish?

You don't need a fish-farm licence if you're not selling your fish or product. However, you'll probably still need to register as a fish farmer. You can do this on the FishServe website.

Application for a Registration or Variation of a Fish Farmer – FishServe

Activities like pet shops, non-commercial domestic aquaponics, and ponds:

  • do not need a fish-farm licence
  • do not need to be registered as a fish farmer.

If you want to set up a marine farm

Setting up a farm below the mean high-water mark ("marine farm") follows a different process.

Find out about setting up a marine farm

Find out which species you can farm

You can apply for a fish-farm licence for any species listed under the:

Notice Specifying Fish Species Which May Be Farmed – NZ Gazette

If you want to farm a species that is not on the list, you must apply to us to have the species listed.

Email fishfarm@mpi.govt.nz

Stocking your farm

Your stock can only come from:

  • another licensed or registered land-based fish farm
  • a registered marine farm
  • a licensed fish receiver.

You can't take species from natural waters (like the sea, lakes, and rivers) unless they have been commercially caught. You cannot use recreational or customary catch to stock a farm.

Stocking your farm with freshwater species

For freshwater species, contact the Department of Conservation (DOC) to find out if approval is needed before you release the species on the farm.

Apply to move freshwater species – DOC

Find out more about transferring and releasing freshwater species

Requirements to establish a land-based farm

To set up a land-based farm, you need:

  • resource consent from the regional council, or a letter from council advising if consent isn't needed
  • to notify the fish and game council in the area where the farm will be
  • the right to occupy the site
  • to register as a client with FishServe
  • a fish-farm licence issued by Fisheries New Zealand.

Follow the steps below, or download our guide on getting approval for a fish farm licence.

Guide to applying for a fish-farm licence [PDF, 182 KB]

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Fees and charges

View aquaculture fees and charges

Updating or renewing your fish-farm licence

Complete the following form if you want to:

  • renew a fish-farm license
  • add or remove species to your licence
  • change the licensed fish-farm area.

Application to amend or renew a fish-farm licence [PDF, 171 KB]

You need to renew your licence every 14 years. To renew it, submit the following form no earlier than 12 months before the licence is due to expire, and no later than 3 months before.

Transferring a fish-farm license

You'll need to complete the following form if your farm is changing owners. The old owner and the new owner must complete the form.

Application to transfer a fish-farm licence [PDF, 104 KB]

Cancelling a fish-farm licence

To cancel a licence, email us (with your licence number and why you want to cancel) at fishfarm@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more

Read about protecting aquaculture from biosecurity risks

Notice Specifying Fish Species Which May Be Farmed (2020) (Notice No. MPI 1134) [PDF, 83 KB]

Freshwater Fish Farming Regulations 1983 – NZ Legislation

Who to contact

If you have questions about setting up a land-based fish farm, email fishfarm@mpi.govt.nz

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