Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – COMMONWEALTH NORTHERN PRAWN FISHERY, APRIL 2025
I, BELINDA JAGO, Branch Head, Ocean and Wildlife Branch, as Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water, hereby vary under paragraph 303FT(7)(b) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) the declaration of an approved wildlife trade operation dated 19 December 2023 for the Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery as defined in the management regime in force under the:
- Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth)
- Fisheries Management Regulations 2019 (Cth)
- Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995 (Cth),
such that the condition specified in the Schedule to that declaration is varied as follows:
In Condition 5, delete the words
“By 30 June 2025, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must undertake a review of the Northern Prawn Fishery Scientific Observer program to ensure its coverage is spatially and temporally distributed across the fishery in a manner that delivers representative independent data (particularly in areas where known data gaps exist or where ecological risks are higher).”
and replace with the words
“By 30 June 2026, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must provide the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with a copy of the new data strategy for the Northern Prawn Fishery.
The new data strategy must include sufficient information to allow the department to understand how independent and fishery dependent monitoring will be managed throughout the term of the strategy; how independent monitoring (either through electronic monitoring or scientific observers) will be spatially and temporally distributed across the fishery; and how this will be prioritised to meet the fishery’s information needs (including an understanding of protected species interactions, addressing known data gaps, and logbook validation).”
Dated this 23rd day of June 2025
Belinda Jago
………….…….……………………….........
Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water
Notes:
- Under the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024, a person whose interests are affected by this decision may apply for a statement of reasons and for independent review of the decision. An application for a statement of reasons may be made in writing to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water within 28 days of the date of the declaration. An application for independent review may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal on payment of the relevant fee within 28 days of the date of the declaration or, if reasons are sought, within 28 days of receipt of reasons. Further information may be obtained from the Director, Sustainable Fisheries Section, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Email: sustainablefisheries@dcceew.gov.au.