Before becoming a commercial fisher in New Zealand, you need to be aware of how the Quota Management System works and your legal obligations under the Fisheries Act 1996. These are explained under the relevant information headings (Permit Holders, Vessel Operators, Quota Share Owners, ACE Owners and Licensed Fish Receivers).

To become a commercial fisher or to apply for a Fish Receivers License you first need to register as a FishServe client. To do this you need to complete a client application form.

There is no fee to register as a client. After your application is processed you will be notified of your client number and you will be able to apply for a fishing permit or to register a fishing vessel and obtain some ACE or quota shares.

In 2014, FishServe introduced the Development Levy / System Redevelopment Levy to fund the redevelopment of our website and systems. The levy plays a crucial role in helping FishServe meet the changing needs of the New Zealand seafood industry, and has helped fund several improvements and advancements of our services and solutions.

All clients receive a Client Details Annual Update form, which must be completed and returned within 14 days of receipt of the form. If any of your personal information details change, you must inform FishServe of the changes within one calendar month of the change.