Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL LINE FISHERY, AUGUST 2024
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 for the Northern Territory Coastal Line Fishery (dated 15 November 2023), as defined in the management regime in force under the Fisheries Act 1998 (NT) and the Fisheries Regulations 1992 (NT), such that the conditions specified in Schedule 1 of the declaration are varied as follows:
In Schedule 1, Declaration of the harvest operations of the Northern Territory Coastal Line Fishery as an approved wildlife trade operation, November 2023, delete:
Condition 5
By 1 March 2024, the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade must undertake a stock assessment for golden snapper, and if the relative biomass estimate is below a trigger or limit reference point, then implement a formal recovery plan in accordance with the harvest strategy by 31 July 2024.
and replace with:
Condition 5
a) By 31 October 2024, the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade must deliver and publish an updated stock assessment for golden snapper.
b) If the golden snapper stock biomass is found to be below a trigger or limit reference point in the Coastal Line Fishery Harvest Strategy, the Northern Territory Department Industry Tourism and Trade must:
(i) By 13 December 2024, reduce the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) for golden snapper in proportion to the scientifically determined total mortality reduction percentage required to promote recovery within a generation for the species, taking into account incidental mortality as a part of harvest assessments.
(ii) By 30 March 2025 provide the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water with a copy of the draft recovery plan for golden snapper.
(iii) By 31 July 2025, demonstrate steps have been taken to ensure legislative arrangements are suitable to implement the formal recovery plan.
(iv) By 1 December 2025, publish a copy of the formal recovery plan.
(v) Implement any management actions by due dates identified in the formal recovery plan.
Dated this 5th day of August 2024
BELINDA JAGO
………….…….……………………….........
Delegate of the Minister for the Environment
Notes:
- Under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, 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 Appeals 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.
- Australia’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are met through Part 13A of the EPBC Act. Specimens of species listed in Appendix II of Australia’s CITES list under section 303CA of the EPBC Act may only be exported, under a CITES export permit issued under the EPBC Act, if Australia’s CITES Scientific Authority has issued a non-detriment finding for that species. Further information, including a list of species for which non detriment findings have been issued and the fisheries from which they may be sourced, is available from https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/wildlife-trade/cites.