Report of the Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity: Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012 October 2014 Letter of Transmittal to the Minister Dear Minister I am pleased to present the report of the Expert Panel to Assess a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity (Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012). The report assesses and advises on: the likely nature and extent of direct interactions of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity with species protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), particularly seals and dolphins the potential for any localised depletion of target species (arising from the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity) to result in adverse impacts to the Commonwealth marine environment, including the target protected under the EPBC Act species’ predators actions that could be taken by operators of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity or relevant regulatory authorities to avoid, reduce and mitigate adverse environmental impacts of the activity monitoring or scientific research that would reduce any uncertainties about the potential for adverse environmental impacts resulting from the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity. The on these issues was informed by consultation with national and international experts panel’s advice in the relevant fields, by targeted, commissioned research and by broader stakeholder consultation. The panel members hope that this report will assist your assessment of the environmental impacts of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity and help inform future government decision making on the Small Pelagic Fishery. Mary Lack Chair Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity Contents
Report of the Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity: Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012 October 2014 Letter of Transmittal to the Minister Dear Minister I am pleased to present the report of the Expert Panel to Assess a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity (Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012). The report assesses and advises on: the likely nature and extent of direct interactions of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity with species protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), particularly seals and dolphins the potential for any localised depletion of target species (arising from the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity) to result in adverse impacts to the Commonwealth marine environment, including the target species’ predators protected under the EPBC Act actions that could be taken by operators of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity or relevant regulatory authorities to avoid, reduce and mitigate adverse environmental impacts of the activity monitoring or scientific research that would reduce any uncertainties about the potential for adverse environmental impacts resulting from the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity. The panel’s advice on these issues was informed by consultation with national and international experts in the relevant fields, by targeted, commissioned research and by broader stakeholder consultation. The panel members hope that this report will assist your assessment of the environmental impacts of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity and help inform future government decision making on the Small Pelagic Fishery. Mary Lack Chair Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity Contents
expert-panel-report-small-pelagic-fishery.docx