Environmental Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery, May 2026
Agency application on ecological sustainability
Learn more about the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery
About the application
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water received an application from the Commonwealth Australian Fisheries Management Authority on 8 May 2026. The application has been prepared to address the Guidelines for the ecologically sustainable management of fisheries – 2nd edition and will be used to assess the operation of the fishery for the purposes of Parts 13 and 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act).
Consideration will be given to:
declaring the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery, as managed consistent with the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth), the Fisheries Management Regulations 2019 (Cth) and the Small Pelagic Fishery Management Plan 2009 as an approved wildlife trade operation under section 303FN of the EPBC Act.
including in the list of exempt native specimens, specimens harvested in the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery as managed consistent with the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth), the Fisheries Management Regulations 2019 (Cth) and the Small Pelagic Fishery Management Plan 2009.
accrediting the management regime for the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery under sections 208A, 222A, 245 and 265 of the EPBC Act for the purposes of Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively of Part 13 of the EPBC Act.
In accordance with the provisions of sections 303FR and 303DC of the EPBC Act, you are invited to comment on this proposal.
Any comments received will form part of the documentation provided to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water, or the minister’s delegate for decision.
How can I get involved
Download the application:
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Send your comments
The call for public comments is open from 29 May 2026 until 3 July 2026.
Comments can be sent by email or writing to:
Email:
sustainablefisheries@dcceew.gov.au
Mail:
The Director
Sustainable Fisheries and CITES Policy Section
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
GPO BOX 3090
Canberra ACT 2601
Privacy and Confidentiality
Copies of comments may be made available to other persons with a particular interest in the application. If you wish your comments to remain confidential, please clearly mark the relevant part(s) of your comments as ‘confidential’.
