Aquaculture is regulated under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, which established a modern and effective licensing system for the industry. Applications for licences are made to the Department in the first instance and are determined by reference to considerations specified in the 1997 Act. These include the likely environmental and economic impacts of the proposal and the suitability of the waters concerned for the activity proposed. It is open to any person to make submissions on a licence application and anybody may appeal to the independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board against a licensing decision.