About the application
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water received an application from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority on 28 October 2025. 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 Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, as managed consistent with the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth), Torres Strait Fisheries Regulations 1985 (Cth), and the Torres Strait Prawn 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 Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, as managed consistent with the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth), Torres Strait Fisheries Regulations 1985 (Cth), and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery Management Plan 2009.
accrediting the management regime for the Torres Strait Prawn 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.
