Sustainable Fisheries

I, Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, have considered in accordance with section 303FN of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) the application from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, public comments on the proposal as required under S303FR, and advice on the ecological sustainability of the operation. I am satisfied on those matters specified in Section 303FN of the Act. I hereby declare the operations for the incidental harvesting of Solegnathus dunckeri and Solegnathus hardwickii, in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery, as defined in the management regime for the fishery, made under the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 1995 and the Queensland Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999 in force under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994, to be an approved Wildlife Trade Operation, in accordance with S303FN (2) and (10)(d), for the purposes of the Act.

Unless amended or revoked, this declaration:

1. is valid until 1 December 2007; and
2. is subject to the conditions applied under s.303FT specified in the Schedule.

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 reason may be made in writing to Environment Australia 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.

Schedule

Declaration of the Incidental Harvest Operations of Solegnathus dunckeri and Solegnathus hardwickii in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery as an approved Wildlife Trade Operation

Additional Provisions (s.303FT)

Relating to the incidental harvesting of Solegnathus dunckeri and Solegnathus hardwickii, in the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery, made under the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 1995 and the Queensland Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999 in force under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994.

1. Operation of the fishery will be carried out in accordance with the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 1995 and the Queensland Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999 in force under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994;
2. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) will inform the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) of any intended amendments to the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery management regime that may affect the sustainability of the target species or negatively impact on byproduct, bycatch, protected species or the ecosystem;
3. Reports to be produced and presented to DEH annually, and to include:
   • information sufficient to allow assessment of the progress of DPI&F in implementing the recommendations made in the Assessment of the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery 2004, noting that the information provided to the public will be adequate for reporting on recommendations 3, 6 and 16;
   • A description of the status of the fishery and catch and effort information;
   • A statement of the performance of the fishery against objectives, performance indicators and measures once developed; and
   • Research undertaken or completed relevant to the fishery.