The commercial shellfish fishery includes clams (Venerupis) in Georges Bay, Cockles (Katelysia) in Ansons Bay, native oysters (Ostrea angasi) in Georges Bay and wild Pacific oysters.

Managing the fishery 

The Tasmanian shellfish fishery is managed under the provisions of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995​ and Fisheries (Shellfish) Rules 2017.

The management plan for the commercial fishery is both species and area specific due to the each shellfish population's high level of variability of size, age at maturity, growth rates from area to area, and the need to consider other resource users.

The commercial clam (Venerupis) fishery currently allows for two licences, both operating in Georges Bay near St Helens.

The native oyster (Ostrea angasi) fishery is also restricted to Georges Bay and is limited to two licences.

The cockles (Katelysia) are limited to Ansons Bay with only one licence.

Total Allowable Catch

The total allowable catch for these species is determined by stock surveys undertaken every two to three years.

There is no cap on the number of wild Pacific oyster licences that can be issued but as for all commercial bivalves fisheries, operators are bound by the requirements of the Shellfish Market Access Program (ShellMAP)​ and liable to pay the associated levy.

More information 

Commercial Shellfish fishery assessment reports: 

IMAS Small Bivalve Assessment Reports​ 

Shellfish Fishery Policy:

Shellfish Fishery Policy Document (1.47 MB)

  Shellfish policy update 2017   (338Kb)​​​