Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021

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Legislation au F2021N00202 Not in force Notifiable Instrument

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Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021

made under subsection 303FN(2) and paragraph 303FN(10)(d) of the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 24 December 2022

Includes amendments up to: F2022N00333

Registered: 6 February 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 24 December 2022 (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. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

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.

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. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

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 West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021

I, Laura Timmins, Senior Director, Wildlife Trade Office, as Delegate of the Minister for the Environment, 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, public comments on the proposal as required under section 303FR, 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 West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery and as defined in the management regime in force under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA), the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA), Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (WA), the West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery Management Plan 1997, and Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery Management Plan 2018, 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), except for Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

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 19 August 2024 and;

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

Notes:

1. 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 Agriculture, Water and the Environment 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, Wildlife Trade Assessments Section, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Telephone: 02 6274 1715 Email: sustainablefisheries@awe.gov.au.

2. 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 nondetriment 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 htttp://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/wildlifetrade/internationallyendangeredplantsandanimalscites/howexport.

 

Schedule 1

 

Part 13A conditions to the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on the approved wildlife trade operation declaration for the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery August 2021

 

Condition 1: 

Operation of the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery must be carried out in accordance with the management arrangements specified in the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA), Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA), the Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (WA), the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fishery Management Plan 2018 and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Fishery Management Plan 1997.

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 West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline 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 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 present reports to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water annually, as per Appendix B of the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries 2nd Edition.

Condition 5:

By December 2022, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must ensure that all catch in the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery is reported to species level. This includes landed and discarded catch. Where specieslevel reporting is not possible, catches of these species must be managed in a precautionary manner.

Condition 6:

By 1 February 2023, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must ensure that all sharks retained by the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery are landed in a form that facilitates ready and reliable identification. This must include a prohibition on removal of fins and other morphological features that are necessary to identify species at the point of landing.

Condition 7:

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to develop and implement an independent data collection and validation program in the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery by February 2024. This may involve the use of electronic monitoring, onboard observers or other means. The information collected must be sufficient to reliably demonstrate the accuracy of all reported catch, effort and protected species interaction data collected via logbooks.

Condition 8:

By December 2021 the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must publish an ecological risk assessment of the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, which considers the impacts of the fisheries on all target and nontarget species, habitats and other ecological processes.

Condition 9:

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must develop, review and implement ecological risk mitigation measures to address any significant risks identified in the ecological risk assessment for the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery.

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

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021

20 Aug 2021 (F2021N00202)

21 Aug 2021

 

Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, December 2022

23 Dec 2022 (F2022N00333)

24 Dec 2022

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Schedule 1

 

Condition 2...............

am F2022N00333

Condition 3...............

am F2022N00333

Condition 4...............

am F2022N00333

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

am F2022N00333

 

 

Overview

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was enacted to address the need for comprehensive protection of the environment, particularly in relation to matters of national environmental significance. The Act is administered by the Parliament of Australia and aims to promote the ecologically sustainable use of natural resources. The EPBC Act provides a framework for the protection of wildlife, including endangered species, and the management of activities that may impact biodiversity. This legislative framework seeks to balance environmental protection with economic activities, ensuring that development and conservation objectives are considered in decision-making processes. In August 2021, the Minister for the Environment, through the Senior Director, Wildlife Trade Office, issued a declaration under the EPBC Act, recognising the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery as an approved wildlife trade operation. This declaration was made following consideration of an application by the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, public comments, and advice on ecological sustainability. The declared operation involves the harvesting of specimens from fish or invertebrates, subject to certain exclusions, such as specimens belonging to taxa listed under the EPBC Act or those subject to CITES regulations. The declaration is subject to specific conditions aimed at ensuring sustainable fishing practices, including compliance with relevant management plans and the implementation of ecological risk assessments and mitigation measures.

Scope and Application

The Declaration of an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation – Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery, August 2021 applies to the operations for the harvesting of specimens that are or are derived from fish or invertebrates taken in the specified fisheries in Western Australia, as defined in the management regime under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA) and the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA), and the Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (WA). However, it excludes specimens belonging to taxa listed under section 209 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Australia’s List of Migratory Species), specimens belonging to taxa listed under section 248 of the EPBC Act (Australia’s List of Marine Species), specimens belonging to eligible listed threatened species, and specimens belonging to taxa listed under section 303CA of the EPBC Act (Australia’s CITES List), except for Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna spp.). This declaration is made in accordance with subsection 303FN(2) and paragraph 303FN(10)(d) of the EPBC Act and is valid until 19 August 2024, subject to the conditions applied under section 303FT specified in Schedule 1. The declaration may be reviewed and amended through subordinate instruments, and the operation of the Act is not affected by editorial changes unless explicitly stated.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation are sections 303FN(2) and 303FN(10)(d) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which provide the legal basis for declaring an approved wildlife trade operation. The declaration, made under subsection 303FN(2) and paragraph 303FN(10)(d) of the EPBC Act, identifies specific fisheries operations that meet the criteria for ecological sustainability and are therefore approved for trade. Excluded from this approval are 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, except for Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna spp.) under section 303CA. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development must ensure that the operations of the Western Australian West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery and the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery comply with the management arrangements specified in the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (WA), Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 (WA), Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (WA), and the respective management plans. Additionally, the Department must inform the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of any material changes to the management arrangements or fisheries legislation that may affect the assessment against which EPBC Act decisions are made. The Department is also required to produce and present annual reports as per the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries. Furthermore, by December 2022, the Department must ensure that all catch in these fisheries is reported to species level, including landed and discarded catch, and by February 2023, all sharks retained in the fisheries must be landed in a form that facilitates ready and reliable identification. The Department must also develop and implement an independent data collection and validation program by February 2024 and publish an ecological risk assessment by December 2021. Finally, the Department must develop, review, and implement ecological risk mitigation measures to address any significant risks identified in the ecological risk assessment. Failure to comply with the obligations and requirements set forth in the Act can result in civil and criminal consequences. The specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, breaches of the EPBC Act can result in substantial penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific provisions of the EPBC Act that are breached and the circumstances of the case. Additionally, the declaration itself is subject to review and potential revocation if it is found that the operations do not continue to meet the criteria for approval.

Legal classification tags

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

Interactions

Authorises

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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.