Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION – COMMONWEALTH CORAL SEA FISHERY, AUGUST 2023
I, BELINDA JAGO, Branch Head, Oceans 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 30 November 2022 for the Commonwealth Coral Sea Fishery, as defined in the management regime in force under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and Fisheries Management Regulations 2019 (Cth), such that the conditions specified in the Schedule to that declaration is varied as follows:
In Condition 8, delete the words
“By 31 August 2023, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must:
a) undertake a comprehensive review to update the science underpinning the Coral Sea Fishery Harvest Strategy - Sea Cucumber Sector to ensure it supports a longer-term export approval for the fishery. This should consider all relevant science applicable to the key biological parameters of the fishery's main sea cucumber species, including the Expert advice for the assessment of Australian sea cucumber (Holothuria) fisheries report commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
b) drawing on the findings of the comprehensive review, finalise an updated Coral Sea Fishery Harvest Strategy - Sea Cucumber Sector and develop, at a minimum, species-specific trigger limits and reference points (or proxies) for species listed under CITES; and ongoing data collection and monitoring plans required to support ongoing fishing of these species.”
and replace with the words
“By 15 December 2023, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority must undertake a comprehensive review to update the science underpinning the Coral Sea Fishery Harvest Strategy - Sea Cucumber Sector to ensure it supports a longer-term export approval for the fishery. This should consider all relevant science applicable to the key biological parameters of the fishery's main sea cucumber species.”
Dated this 29th day of August 2023
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@environment.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 non-detriment 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 https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/wildlife-trade/cites.