Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, June 2026

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – TORRES STRAIT PRAWN FISHERY, JUNE 2026

I, BELINDA JAGO, Branch Head, Ocean and Wildlife Branch, as Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water, have considered in accordance with section 303FN of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) the application from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and advice on the ecological sustainability of the operation. I am satisfied on those matters specified in section 303FN of the EPBC Act. I hereby declare the operations for the harvesting of specimens that are or are derived from fish or invertebrates, taken in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery as defined in the management regime in force under the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth), the Torres Strait Fisheries Regulations 1985 (Cth), and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery Management Plan 2009, but not including:

1.     specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 209 of the EPBC Act (Australia’s List of Migratory Species), or
2.    specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 248 of the EPBC Act (Australia’s List of Marine Species), or
3.     specimens that belong to eligible listed threatened species, as defined under section 303BC of the EPBC Act, or
4.    specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 303CA of the EPBC Act (taxa listed in the CITES Appendices).

to be an approved wildlife trade operation, in accordance with subsection 303FN(2) and paragraph 303FN(10)(d), for the purposes of the EPBC Act.

Unless amended or revoked, this declaration:

1.               is valid until 1 June 2031 and;
2.              is subject to the conditions applied under section 303FT specified in Schedule 1.

This instrument commences the day after registration.

Dated this 26th day of May 2026

SIGNED

………….…….…………………………………

Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water

Note: 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.

Schedule 1

Declaration of the harvest operations of the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery as an approved wildlife trade operation, June 2026

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS (section 303FT)

Relating to the harvesting of specimens that are, or are derived from, fish or invertebrates, other than specimens of species listed under Part 13 and Part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), unless those specimens are subject to any exceptions as outlined in this declaration, taken in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery:

Condition 1

Export approval for the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery (the fishery) has been provided on the basis the fishery will be managed in accordance with the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth), Torres Strait Fisheries Regulations 1985 (Cth), and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery Management Plan 2009.

During the term of the export approval, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must:

1.       Consistent with Appendix B of the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries, provide the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department), with an annual report by 31 May each year.
2.       In the interim, if there are any intended changes to legislative instruments, or material changes to management arrangements, that may affect the basis on which the export accreditation was made for this fishery, the department must be notified.

Condition 2

To ensure there is a contemporary understanding of the risk posed to the environment by the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must:

1.       conduct a risk assessment for the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery by 30 June 2029. The assessment must include the most recent logbook and scientific observer data available, and consider the risks posed to all non-target species, habitats, and the broader ecosystem.
2.       respond to the outcomes of the updated risk assessments consistent with Fisheries Management Paper 14 – AFMA’s Approach to Ecological Risk Assessments and Management.