Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – QUEENSLAND EAST COAST OTTER TRAWL FISHERY, MAY 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 dated 17 December 2021 for the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery as defined in the management regime in force under the:

• Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld)
• Fisheries (General) Regulation 2019 (Qld)
• Fisheries (Commercial Fisheries) Regulation 2019 (Qld)
• Fisheries Declaration 2019 (Qld)
• Fisheries Quota Declaration 2019 (Qld)
• Marine Parks Act 2004 (Qld)
• Marine Parks Regulations 2019 (Qld)
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth)
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019 (Cth)

such that the condition specified in the Schedule to that declaration is varied as follows:

Delete the words:

Condition 7

By 20 May 2024, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries must develop and implement a statistically robust, independent, quantitative and validated monitoring and data collection regime in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery. 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. This regime needs to gather suitable data on the level of catch, discards and interactions in the fishery to inform the sustainable management of target, byproduct and bycatch species (including protected species).

and replace with the words:

Condition 7

By 30 September 2024, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries must commence development and implementation of a statistically robust, independent, quantitative and validated monitoring and data collection regime in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery. This may involve the use of electronic monitoring, onboard observers, or other means.

The information collected should be representative of the fishery, and sufficient to reliably demonstrate the accuracy of reported catch, effort and protected species interaction data collected via logbooks. This regime needs to gather suitable data on the level of catch, discards and interactions in the fishery to inform the sustainable management of target, byproduct and bycatch species (including protected species).

Dated this 7th day of  May 2024

BELINDA JAGO

 ………….…….……………………….........

Delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water

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 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.