(1)  The Secretary may allocate a research quota unit to the holder of a fishing licence (rock lobster) in lieu of payment for approved research undertaken by that licensee.

(2)  A research quota unit allocated to the holder of the fishing licence (rock lobster) under subrule (1) authorises that licensee to take, for commercial purposes, the weight of rock lobster determined under subrule (3)(a) .

(3)  The Secretary is to determine –

(a) the weight of rock lobster that may be taken under a research quota unit; and

(b) the conditions on which the rock lobster may be taken.

(4)  The Secretary is not to allocate research quota units so that the total weight of those research quota units exceeds 1% of the total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery.

(5)  The holder of a fishing licence (rock lobster) who has been allocated a research quota unit under subrule (1) must comply with the conditions determined under subrule (3)(b) .

Penalty:  Grade 3 penalty.

(6)  A research quota unit may be temporarily transferred.

(7)  A research quota unit is not to be permanently transferred.