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Managing interactions with Australian Sea Lions in the Gillnet Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery – Post-Implementation Review – Australian Fisheries Management Authority

On 27 April 2011, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) announced changes to existing management arrangements in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, aimed at providing stronger protection for Australian Sea Lions. These changes included additional closures of fishing areas and new monitoring arrangements. A regulation impact statement (RIS) - assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) - was required to inform the decision to change the management arrangements. A draft RIS was submitted prior to the implementation of the regulation, however due to the urgent requirement of the regulation, adequate consultation was unable to be completed before the action was taken.  The RIS was deemed to be inadequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation  and AFMA was assessed as non-compliant under the then Government’s RIS requirements. As a result, a Post implementation Review (PIR) has been undertaken by AFMA in line with the Government’s best practice regulation requirements. The PIR found that the measures taken in 2011 were appropriate and continue to be necessary in order for AFMA to pursue its legislative objectives under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The PIR has been assessed as compliant by the OBPR.