The state government has announced existing and proposed aquaculture developments will no longer need approval under the Environmental Protection (EP) Act.
The decision is expected to save the industry up to $100,000 each year in licensing fees.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the change would remove duplication in regulating aquaculture activities that were also subject to regulation under the Fish Resources Management Act.
"Previously, aquaculture operators needed to obtain a works approval and licence from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and an aquaculture licence from the Department of Fisheries," she said.
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said the two departments had endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and three Codes of Practice covering all aspects of the aquaculture industry and that this would ensure environmental outcomes would be maintained and improved.
"The Department of Fisheries will now manage operational, compliance and enforcement activities associated with the WA aquaculture industry," Mr Moore said.
"Fisheries also will manage any complaints, but will refer events to DEC where the powers of the EP Act may need to be used," he said
