Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Legislation au F2025N00069 In force Notifiable Instrument

Legislation content

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025

made under section 303FN of the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date: 16 May 2026

Includes amendments: F2026N00317

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 16 May 2026 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GASCOYNE DEMERSAL SCALEFISH MANAGED FISHERY, JANUARY 2025

I, JESSICA HOEY, A/g Branch Head, Ocean and Wildlife, 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 Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 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 Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery as defined in the management regime specified in the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Management Plan 2010, in force under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA) and the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA), but not including:

(a) specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 209 of the EPBC Act (Australia’s List of Migratory Species), or

(b) specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 248 of the EPBC Act (Australia’s List of Marine Species), or

(c) specimens that belong to eligible listed threatened species, as defined under section 303BC of the EPBC Act, or

(d) specimens that belong to taxa listed under section 303CA of the EPBC Act (Australia’s CITES List).

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:

a) is valid until 23 January 2028 and;

b) is subject to the conditions applied under section 303FT specified in Schedule 1.

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.


Schedule 1

Declaration of the harvest operations of the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery as an approved wildlife trade operation, January 2025

 

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS (section 303FT)

Relating to the harvesting of fish 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 Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery:

Condition 1

Operation of the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery must be carried out in accordance with the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Management Plan 2010 in force under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA) and the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA).

Condition 2

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must inform the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of any intended material changes to the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery management arrangements that may affect the assessment against which Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 decisions are made.

Condition 3

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must inform the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of any intended changes to Western Australian fisheries legislation that may affect the legislative instruments relevant to this approval.

Condition 4

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must produce and provide reports on the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water by 20 December annually, as per Appendix B of the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries – 2nd Edition.

Condition 5

By 15 December 2025, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must expand data collection in the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery to provide reliable information on catch composition and discards. This may involve implementation of mandatory discard reporting in logbooks, some independent monitoring, fishery-independent surveys, or other means.

Condition 6

Condition revoked.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

p = page(s)

amdt = amendment

para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

cl = clause(s)

prev = previous

cont. = continued

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

ed = editorial change

rep = repealed

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rs = repealed and substituted

effect

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SR = Statutory Rules

effect

sub ch = SubChapter(s)

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

sub div = Subdivision(s)

cannot be given effect

sub pt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025

28 Jan 2025 (F2025N00069)

29 Jan 2025

 

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, September 2025

1 Nov 2025 (F2025N00868)

2 Nov 2025

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, May 2026

15 May 2026 (F2026N00317)

16 May 2026

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Condition 6...............

rs F2025N00868

 

ed C1

 

am F2026N00317

 

 

Overview

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was enacted by the Australian Parliament to address the problem of protecting Australia's environment, particularly biodiversity and heritage, from significant impacts caused by activities under Commonwealth control or influence. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure the protection and sustainable management of the environment, particularly in the context of wildlife trade and biodiversity conservation. The Act provides a framework for assessing and managing the impacts of proposed actions on the environment, including wildlife trade operations. In this context, the Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025 was made under section 303FN of the EPBC Act by Jessica Hoey, acting as a delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water, to declare certain fishing operations as an approved wildlife trade operation, subject to specific conditions outlined in Schedule 1. This declaration ensures that the operations comply with the requirements of the EPBC Act, while allowing for the sustainable management of fisheries resources.

Scope and Application

The Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025 applies to the operations involved in the harvesting of fish specimens that are, or are derived from, fish or invertebrates taken within the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery. This declaration, made under section 303FN of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), excludes specimens belonging to taxa listed under sections 209, 248, and 303CA of the EPBC Act, as well as eligible listed threatened species defined under section 303BC of the EPBC Act. The geographical reach of this declaration pertains to the operations conducted within the specified fishery in Western Australia. The validity of the declaration is set until 23 January 2028, subject to certain conditions outlined in Schedule 1, which mandates adherence to the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Management Plan 2010, among other stipulations. These conditions include reporting obligations and the need for compliance with specified management plans and regulations. Additionally, the declaration may be subject to modifications or revocations through subordinate instruments or further legislative amendments.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, January 2025, declared under section 303FN of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, establish the criteria and conditions under which the specified fishery operations are considered an approved wildlife trade operation. This declaration, valid until 23 January 2028, specifies that the operations for harvesting specimens from fish or invertebrates in the Western Australian Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery are approved, excluding those that are listed under certain sections of the EPBC Act (sections 209, 248, 303BC, and 303CA). The operations are subject to the conditions outlined in Schedule 1, which detail the compliance requirements for the fishery's management and reporting. These conditions ensure that the fishery operates sustainably and provides necessary data for environmental assessments. The obligations imposed by this declaration on the parties governed, primarily the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, include adherence to the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Management Plan 2010 under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995. Furthermore, the department must inform the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of any changes to the fishery management arrangements or relevant legislation that may impact the fishery's assessment. Additionally, annual reporting on the fishery's status is mandated, with specific requirements for data collection on catch composition and discards by 15 December 2025. This ensures transparency and accountability in the management and ecological sustainability of the fishery. The declaration outlines the potential consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. While the specific offences, penalties, or civil and criminal consequences are not explicitly detailed within the text, breaches of the conditions specified in Schedule 1 could potentially lead to enforcement actions under the EPBC Act. Non-compliance may result in the revocation of the approved wildlife trade operation status, which could have significant implications for the fishery's operations and sustainability certifications. The specific penalties for such breaches would be determined according to the relevant provisions of the EPBC Act and any associated regulations or guidelines.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Environmental Law
Instrument
Notifiable instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Compliance Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.