EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 1982 No 310
Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations (Amendment)
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for the Capital Territory acting for and on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Commerce
The main purpose of these regulations is to amend the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations to impose a control over the export of Hydrophiidae (sea snakes) from Australia. This control will ensure that the commercial harvesting of the species within Australia’s 200 mile fishing zone is controlled.
The Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act, when enacted and proclaimed, will provide such a control. The regulations are however necessary to impose an interim control until this legislation comes into force.
Regulation 1
Amends regulation 13A of the regulations to substitute the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Environment for that of the Minister of State for Science and the Environment as a consequence of the revised administrative arrangements made on 7 May 1982.
Regulation 2
Amends the Twelfth Schedule to the regulations by substituting in the heading of that Schedule, the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Environment for the Minister of State for Science and the Environment in accordance with the changed administrative arrangements of 7 May 1982.
Regulation 3
Amends the Twelfth Schedule to the regulations to introduce an export control over the species Hydrophiidae (sea snakes). This control will assist in regulating the exploitation of the species within the 200 mile fishing zone.
The Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations as they previously stood made no provision for the control of the export of sea snakes which are taken within the 200 mile fishing zone but beyond the three mile territorial zone. This new control is consistent with the Government’s policy on the commercial exploitation of native Australian fauna.