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Interim (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration (No. 2) 2013

On 25 February 2013 the Environment Minister, following consultation with the Fisheries Minister, made an interim declaration that the following commercial fishing activities are Declared Commercial Fishing Activities:

• a commercial fishing activity that is in the area of the Small Pelagic Fishery, uses a mid-water trawl method and uses a vessel which has storage capacity of 1,600 tonnes or greater; and
• a commercial fishing activity that is in the area of the Small Pelagic Fishery, uses a vessel which has storage capacity of 1,600 tonnes or greater and receives or processes fish or fish products that are quota species that have been taken in the Small Pelagic Fishery.

The interim declaration entered into force on 27 February 2013 and prohibits the Declared Commercial Fishing Activities for 60 days while consultation with declaration affected parties about the effect of making a final declaration takes place.

• Interim (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration (No. 2) 2013 - F2013L00294
• Media release - 25 February 2013

Consultation

Each person who:

• holds a fishing concession (as defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth)), and
• considers that they would be detrimentally affected by the making of a final declaration under section 390SF of the EPBC Act in relation to the Declared Commercial Fishing Activities,

is invited to make a written submission about the impact on their rights or interests in relation to fishing if a final declaration were to be made for the Declared Commercial Fishing Activities.

In making a submission, declaration affected persons are also invited to address:

• whether there is uncertainty about the environmental impacts of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activities, and
• whether it is appropriate that the Declared Commercial Fishing Activities be prohibited while an expert panel conducts an assessment.

In order to make a submission on these issues, declaration affected persons may find it useful to look at the Environment Minister's statement of reasons for making the interim declaration.

• Statement of reasons for making the Interim (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration (No. 2) 2013 (PDF - 1722KB)

Written submissions must be received at the following email or postal address, no later than 5pm, Canberra time on Monday, 8 April 2013:

Email: sustainablefisheries@environment.gov.au
Post: Sustainable Fisheries Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Please note that submissions will not receive a response.

• Consultation notice (PDF - 30KB) |  (Word - 41KB)