Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery, February 2025

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – COMMONWEALTH NORTHERN PRAWN FISHERY, FEBRUARY 2025

I, LEE GEORGESON, A/g Director, Sustainable Fisheries Section, 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 6, delete the words

“By 15 December 2024, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must complete a trial of electronic monitoring in the Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery. This should assess the potential practicalities, costs, and benefits of introducing electronic monitoring in the fishery, with a view to informing a final decision on whether to implement a long-term electronic monitoring program in the fishery.”

and replace with the words

“The Australian Fisheries Management Authority must:

1.        By 15 December 2024, complete a trial of electronic monitoring in the Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery.
2.        By 15 December 2025, complete an assessment of the potential practicalities, costs, and benefits of introducing electronic monitoring in the fishery, with a view to informing a final decision on whether to implement a long-term electronic monitoring program in the fishery.”

Dated this 12th day of February 2025

Lee Georgeson

 ………….…….……………………….........

Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water

Notes:                                                                                                                                                                           

1.         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.