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FISHERIES ACT 1995


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Purpose  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Objectives of Act  
   3A.     Consultation principles  
   4.      Definitions and interpretative provisions  
   5.      Definition of fish  
   6.      Declaration of fishing bait  
   7.      Definition of fishery  
   7A.     Meaning of species  
   7B.     Expanded meaning of possession of fish or fishing equipment  
   8.      Definition of Victorian waters and waters  
   9.      Act to bind the Crown  
   10.     Crown property  
   11.     Application of this Act  
   11AA.   Traditional owner agreement for natural resources  
   11A.    This Act applies to fisheries reserves on land  
   11B.    Extraterritorial operation of Act  
   11C.    Licence, approval and quota not personal property  

   PART 2--COMMONWEALTH AND STATE MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES

           Division 1--Commonwealth–State management

   12.     Powers and functions of Minister and deputy  
   13.     Power to enter into agreements  
   14.     Judicial notice and publication of agreement  
   15.     Functions of Joint Authority  
   16.     Delegation  
   17.     Procedure of Joint Authorities  
   18.     Report of Joint Authority to be tabled  
   19.     Arrangement for management of certain fisheries  
   20.     Application of Act to fisheries in accordance with arrangements  
   21.     Functions of Joint Authority  
   22.     Joint Authority to exercise certain powers instead of Minister  
   23.     Provisions to apply to Joint Authority fishery  
   24.     Statement in an arrangement to be sufficient evidence  
   25.     Regulations and notices  

           Division 2--State–State management

   26.     Power to enter into agreements  
   27.     Powers and functions  

   PART 3--MANAGEMENT PLANS

   28.     Management plans  
   29.     Contents of fishery management plan  
   30.     Contents of fisheries reserve management plan  
   31.     Contents of declared noxious aquatic species management plan  
   32.     Submissions on management plan  
   33.     Amendment of management plan  
   34.     Duty of public authorities  
   35.     Inconsistency  

   PART 4--REGULATION OF FISHERIES

           Division 1--Offences, licences, general permits and authorisations

   36.     Offences relating to commercial fishing activities  
   37.     Offences relating to commercial abalone equipment  
   38.     Access licences  
   39.     Restrictions concerning access licences  
   40.     Offence to receive or sell any fish  
   41.     Fish receiver licences  
   42.     Offences relating to aquaculture and live fish etc.  
   43.     Aquaculture licences  
   44.     Offences relating to recreational fishing  
   45.     Recreational fishery licences  
   46.     Group recreational fishery licence  
   47.     Recreational fishing that does not require a licence  
   49.     General permit  
   50.     Special provisions concerning general permits for developing fisheries  
   50A.    Licence does not confer automatic rights on water authority property  
   50B.    Fishery licences not transferable unless regulations allow  

           Division 2--Issue, variation, conditions etc. of licences and permits

   51.     Issue of fishery licences  
   51A.    Minister may determine that licences be publicly sold  
   52.     Conditions of fishery licences and permits  
   53.     Offence to fail to comply with licence or permit conditions  
   54.     Changes to licence or permit conditions  
   55.     Variations of licences and permits by regulation  
   56.      Transfer of licences  
   57.     Certain licences may be renewed  
   57A.    Transitional provision concerning certain licences not held by one person  
   57B.    Restriction on the re-issue of cancelled licences  
   57C.    Transitional provision concerning certain licences not held by one person  
   58.     Powers of Victorian Fisheries Authority to cancel or suspend licences  
   58A.    Licences or permits must be returned to Victorian Fisheries Authority  
   59.     Registration of financial interests  
   59A.    Registration of financial interests  
   60.     Cancelled transferable licences may be transferred  
   60A.    Removal notice on cessation of aquaculture activities  

           Division 3--Ministerial directions and quota notices concerning fisheries

   61.     Minister may issue directions  
   61A.    Validation of direction published on 3 April 2003  
   63.     Compensation arising from the cancellation of access licences under section 61  
   64.     Initial quota order  
   64A.    Further quota order  
   64AB.   Sub-zone orders  
   64B.    General quota order provisions  
   64C.    No compensation payable for losses resulting from quota orders  
   65.     Quota notices  
   65A.    Transfer of individual quota units  
   65B.    Minister may determine that quota units be publicly sold  
   66.     Offences in relation to individual quota  
   66A.    Offences in relation to sub-zones  

           Division 3A--Abalone quota

   66B.    Existing quota orders  
   66C.    Initial abalone quota order  
   66D.    Further abalone quota order  
   66E.    Sub-zone abalone orders  
   66F.    When abalone quota order takes effect  
   66G.    Abalone Fishery Access Licence specification  
   66H.    Abalone quota unit holding statement  
   66I.    Entitlement of holder of an individual abalone quota unit  
   66J.    Notification by holder of an individual abalone quota unit  
   66K.    Transfer of individual abalone quota units  
   66L.    Minister may determine that quota units be publicly sold  
   66M.    Offences in relation to individual abalone quota by holders of Abalone Fishery Access Licences  
   66N.    Offences in relation to abalone sub-zones  
   66O.    Requirement on holder of an Abalone Fishery Access Licence to hold minimum number of individual blacklip abalone quota units  
   66P.    Additional penalty on holder of an individual abalone quota unit in relation to an abalone offence  
   66Q.    Penalty for failure to pay royalty or levy  
   66R.    Forfeiture of individual abalone quota unit  

           Division 4--Fishing closures and restrictions

   67.     Fishing closures  
   68.     Prohibition to prevail  
   68A.    Offences in relation to size and catch limits  
   68B.    Possession of fish taken in non-Victorian waters  

   PART 5--PROTECTION OF FISHERIES

           Division 1--Protected aquatic biota

   69.     Declaration of protected aquatic biota  
   70.     Provisions applying to declaration  
   71.     Authorisation in relation to protected aquatic biota  
   72.     Protected aquatic biota permits  
   73.     Order in Council  

           Division 2--Noxious aquatic species

   75.     Declaration of noxious aquatic species  
   76.     Offences concerning prohibited noxious aquatic species  
   81.     Noxious aquatic species permits  
   82.     Revocation of permit  
   83.     Authorisation  
   84.     Notice to be given of location of noxious aquatic species  
   85.     Seizure and removal of noxious aquatic species  
   86.     Prevention of spread of aquatic noxious species  
   87.     No penalty if noxious aquatic species specimen is killed immediately  

           Division 3--Fisheries reserves

   88.     Fisheries reserves  
   89.     Provisions applying to fisheries reserves  

   PART 6--FISHERIES ADVISORY COUNCIL

   90.     Fisheries Advisory Council  
   91.     Function of the Council  
   92.     Council is public entity  
   93.     Membership of Council  
   94.     Deputy chairperson  
   95.     Terms of appointment of members  
   96.     Resignation and removal of members  
   97.     Department's representative at Council meetings  
   97A.    Proceedings of the Council  
   97B.    Annual reports  

   PART 7--ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

           Division 1--Enforcement powers

   98.     References in this Part to offences include associated offences under other Acts  
   101A.   Authorised officer may execute warrant to arrest  
   101B.   Powers of arrest  

           Division 1--(30A) of Part III of the Crimes Act 1958 sets out the procedure that is to be followed by an authorised officer after an arrest under this Division.

   101C.   Power to arrest person in breach of an order  
   101D.   Arrest on reasonable grounds not to be taken to be unlawful  
   101E.   Power to arrest person released on bail  
   101F.   Power to arrest a person against whom a warrant has been issued  
   101G.   Power to search person for priority species  
   101H.   Records of searches  
   101I.   Information on searches to be included in annual report  
   102.    Powers of entry and inspection  
   102A.   Production of financial records  
   103.    Powers to search land or premises  
   103A.   Announcement before entry  
   103B.   Details of warrant to be given to occupier  
   104.    Provisions relating to the seizure of items  
   104A.   Magistrates' Court may extend 21 day period  
   105.    Powers of seizure  
   106.    Forfeiture or return of things seized or retained  
   106AA.  Actions that may be taken in the case of seized things subject to automatic forfeiture  
   106AB.  Disposal notice  
   106AC.  Person may claim return of seized thing from chief executive officer  
   106AD.  Seized thing condemned if not claimed in time  
   106AE.  Court may make a condemnation order in respect of thing forfeited to Crown  
   106AF.  Payment of infringement penalty not to affect certain actions  
   106A.   Magistrates' Court may extend 90 day period  
   107.    Disposal of live fish or perishable things  
   108.    Offence in relation to property seized or retained  
   108A.   Retention notices  
   108B.   Evidentiary provisions relating to retention notices  
   109.    Power to require name and address  
   110.    Hot pursuit of persons and boats beyond Victorian waters  
   111.    Offences with respect to authorised officers  

           Division 1A--Indictable offences

   111A.   Offence to traffick in a commercial quantity of a priority species  
   111B.   Offence to take a commercial quantity of a priority species within 24 hours  
   111C.   Offence to possess a commercial quantity of a priority species  

           Division 2--Other general offences

   112.    Use of explosives, poisons, substances or equipment for fishing  
   113.    Interference with lawful fishing activities or aquaculture activities  
   114.    Prohibition on possession, sale or use of boats and equipment  
   115.    Unlawful interference with commercial fishing equipment or aquaculture equipment  
   116.    Sale of fish taken in contravention of this Act or corresponding law  
   117.    Use of foreign boat for fishing  
   118.    Having foreign boat equipped with commercial fishing equipment  
   118A.   Abalone only to be sold in properly labelled packaging  
   118B.   Abalone packaging not to be disturbed  
   119.    Passage of fish not to be blocked  
   119A.   Offence to knowingly make or furnish false or misleading statements or documents  
   119B.   Offence to make false or misleading statements  
   120.    Liability for offences  

           Division 2A--Offences concerning records and the keeping of information

   120A.   Chief executive officer may require details of fish etc. taken or received  
   120AA.  Documents detailing sale of certain fish to be created  
   120AB.  Documents detailing receipt of certain fish to be obtained  
   120AC.  Possessor of certain quantities of fish to produce document concerning possession  
   120B.   Documents to be kept for 3 years  
   120C.   Writing to be legible, visible and in English  

           Division 3--Proceedings and evidentiary

   121.    Service  
   122.    Evidentiary and onus of proof provisions  
   123.    Simplification of proof  
   123A.   Procedure to be followed before certain certificates are evidence  
   124.    Statement to be evidence of authority  
   124A.   Statement to be evidence of certain matters  
   125.    Evidence of locality  
   126.    Evidence of consignment  
   126A.   Evidence of weight or measurement  
   126B.   Label of can of abalone is evidence of contents  
   127.    Time for bringing proceedings  

           Division 4--Additional penalties and remedies

   128.    Additional penalties for licence holders committing offences  
   128A.   Additional penalty for agents of licence holders  
   129.    Additional penalty—offence by corporation  
   129A.   Court may order offenders to take specified actions  
   130.    Court may prohibit person from being on boats or certain places  
   130AA.  Court may prohibit persons from recreational fishing  
   130A.   Further prohibition court order  
   130B.   Prohibition to be in or on specified waters  
   130C.   Contempt of court proceedings if order breached  
   131.    10 year limit on previous offences by licence holders  

   PART 7A--CONTROLLED OPERATIONS

           Division 1--Introduction

   131A.   Definitions  
   131B.   Evidentiary matters  

           Division 2--Authorisation of controlled operations

   131C.   Applications for authorities to conduct controlled operations  
   131D.   Determination of applications  
   131E.   Matters to be taken into account  
   131F.   Form of authority  

           Division 3--Variation and cancellation of authorities

   131G.   When can an authority be varied?  
   131H.   Application for variation of authority  
   131I.   Determination of application to vary authority  
   131J.   Form of variation of authority  
   131K.   Cancellation of authorities  

           Division 4--Effect of authorities

   131L.   Effect of authorities  
   131M.   Defect in authority  
   131N.   Effect of being unaware of variation or cancellation of authority  
   131O.   Protection from criminal responsibility for certain ancillary conduct  

           Division 5--Notification of third parties

   131P.   Notification requirements  

           Division 6--Compliance and monitoring

   131Q.   Unauthorised disclosure of information  
   131R.   Principal law enforcement officers' reports  
   131S.   Chief executive officer's reports  
   131T.   Annual report by Victorian Inspectorate  
   131U.   Keeping documents connected with authorised operations  
   131V.   General register  
   131W.   Inspection of records by Victorian Inspectorate  

           Division 7--General

   131X.   No delegations  
   131Y.   Evidence of authorities  
   131Z.   Transitional provision  

   PART 8--GENERAL

           Division 1--Licensing procedures

   132.    Commercial Fisheries Licensing Panel  
   133.    Proceedings of Commercial Fisheries Licensing Panel  
   134.    Functions of Commercial Fisheries Licensing Panel  
   136.    Application for review by VCAT  
   137.    Reviewable decisions  

           Division 2--Miscellaneous

   138A.   Conferral of powers of authorised officers  
   139.    Fish research stations and hatcheries on Crown land  
   140.    Research carried out by Secretary or Victorian Fisheries Authority  
   141.    Fisheries Plant and Equipment Fund  
   142.    Immunity provision  
   143.    No compensation payable  
   144.    Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
   145.    Availability for inspection  
   145A.   Victorian Fisheries Authority may supply names to representative bodies  
   146.    Secrecy provision  
   147.    Improper use of information  
   147A.   Use of information contrary to restrictions  
   148.    Application—general provisions  
   149.    Licences and permits—general provisions  
   150.    Royalties  
   151.    Levy  
   151A.   Additional provisions applying to royalties and levies  
   151B.   Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account  

           Division 3--Fisheries notices and regulations

   152.    Fisheries notices  
   153.    Regulations  

           Division 4--Cancellation of licences and restrictions on fishing

   153A.   Cancellation of scallop licences  
   153B.   Acquisition of scallop licences  
   153C.   Restriction against commercial net fishing in Western Port  

           Division 5--Restriction against commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay

   153D.   Definitions for this Division  
   153E.   Restriction against commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay  
   153F.   Election to retain licence  
   153G.   Election to surrender licence  
   153H.   Power of Secretary to cancel licence  
   153I.   Compensation  
   153J.   State not liable  
   153K.   Delegation  
   153L.   Transfer of licence  

           Division 6--Cancellation of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licences

   153M.   Definitions for this Division  
   153N.   Licence holder may elect to surrender Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licence  
   153O.   Cancellation of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licences on 1 April 2020  
   153P.   Cancellation of Gippsland Lakes Fishery Access Licences on 1 April 2021  
   153Q.   Rights and privileges against State extinguished  
   153R.   State not liable  
   153S.   Compensation for cancellation of licences  
   153T.   Exemption from offence relating to possession of commercial fishing equipment  

   PART 9--CONSEQUENTIAL AND TRANSITIONAL

   154.    Repeal of Fisheries Act 1968 and savings  
   155.    Saving of existing licences and permits after repeal  
   155A.   Conversion of existing licences  
   155B.   Beneficial owners of abalone licences may seek new licence  
   155C.   Transitional regulations  
   155D.    Right to licence lapses if licence not renewed  
   156.    Transitional provision—appeals on section 155A or 155B decision  
   157.    Transitional provision—sections 13A, 13AA and 13C of the Fisheries Act 1968  
   158.    Transitional provision—eligibility criteria  
   158A.   Transitional provision—issue of licences  
   163A.   Transitional provision—Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2009—References to fish receiver licence  
   163B.   Transitional and savings provisions—Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2009  
   163C.   Transitional provision—Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2010  
   163D.   Transitional provisions—Fisheries Amendment Act 2011  
   163E.   Transitional provision—Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2012  
   163F.   Transitional provisions—Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2019  

   PART 10--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS--NATIONAL PARKS (MARINE NATIONAL PARKS AND MARINE SANCTUARIES) ACT 2002

           Division 1--General

   164.    Definitions  
   165.    Compensation only payable to licence holders and permit holders as provided in this Part  
   166.    Certificate for purposes of evidence  

           Division 2--Entitlements for eligible rock lobster access licence holders

   167.    Reduced catch entitlements—eligible rock lobster access licence holders  
   168.    Increased costs entitlements—eligible rock lobster access licence holders  

           Division 3--Entitlements for eligible specified access licence holders

   169.    Reduced catch entitlements—eligible specified access licence holders  
   170.    Increased costs entitlements—eligible specified access licence holders  

           Division 4--Entitlements for eligible charter boat operators

   171.    Increased costs entitlements—eligible charter boat operators  

           Division 5--Determinations of the Panel--eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders

   172.    Application to Panel for determination of interim payment—eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders  
   173.    Determinations of the Panel as to interim payments—eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders  
   174.    Application to Panel for determination of final payment—eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders  
   175.    Determinations of the Panel as to final payments—eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders  
   176.    Procedures for making determinations of final payments—eligible rock lobster access licence holders and eligible specified access licence holders  

           Division 6--Determinations of the Panel--eligible charter boat operators

   177.    Application to Panel for determination of interim payment—eligible charter boat operators  
   178.    Determinations of the Panel as to interim payments—eligible charter boat operators  
   179.    Application to Panel for determination of final payment—eligible charter boat operators  
   180.    Determinations of the Panel as to final payments—eligible charter boat operators  
   181.    Procedures for making determinations of final payments—eligible charter boat operators  

           Division 7--Review of determinations by the Tribunal

   182.    Applications for the Tribunal to review determinations  
   183.    Determinations of applications by the Tribunal  

           Division 8--Constitution and proceedings of the Panel

   184.    Compensation Assessment Panel  
   185.    Deputies for members of the Panel  
   186.    Registrar of the Panel  
   187.    Meetings of the Panel  
   188.    Proceedings of the Panel  
   189.    Conducting proceedings of the Panel  

           Division 9--Constitution and proceedings of the Tribunal

   190.    Compensation Appeals Tribunal  
   191.    Deputies for members of the Tribunal  
   192.    Registrar of the Tribunal  
   193.    Meetings of the Tribunal  
   194.    Proceedings of the Tribunal  
   195.    Conducting proceedings of the Tribunal  

           Division 10--Annual reports on fisheries

   196.    Annual reports on fisheries to be prepared  
   197.    Tabling of annual reports on fisheries  
   198.    Minister to have regard to reports  

   PART 10A--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS--VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY ACT 2016

   198A.   Definition  
   198B.   Transitional provision for power to enter into agreements under section 13  
   198C.   Transitional provision for power to enter into agreements under section 26  
   198D.   Transitional provision for access licences  
   198E.   Transitional provision for fishery licences  
   198F.   Transitional provision for changes to licence or permit conditions  
   198G.   Transitional provision for transfer of licences  
   198H.   Transitional provision for licence renewal  
   198I.   Transitional provision for costs of failure to comply with a removal notice on cessation of aquaculture activities  
   198J.   Transitional provision for transfer of individual quota units  
   198K.   Transitional provision for abalone quota unit holding statement  
   198L.   Transitional provision for abalone quota unit holding statement  
   198M.   Transitional provision for protected aquatic biota permits  
   198N.   Transitional provision for noxious aquatic species permits  
   198O.   Transitional provision for recovery of costs of seizure and removal of noxious aquatic species  
   198P.   Transitional provision for prevention of spread of aquatic noxious species  
   198Q.   Transitional provision for provisions applying to fisheries reserves  
   198R.   Transitional provision for security for return of thing seized  
   198S.   Transitional provision for claims by Secretary for return of things seized  
   198T.   Transitional provision for claim for return of thing seized by Secretary  
   198U.   Transitional provision for applications for condemnation orders  
   198V.   Transitional provision for costs incurred in removing obstruction  
   198W.   Transitional provision for court orders for offenders to take specified actions  
   198X.   Transitional provision for court orders for offenders to take specified actions  
   198Y.   Transitional provision for further prohibition court orders  
   198Z.   Transitional provision for prohibition to be in or on specified waters  
   198ZA.  Transitional provision for applications for authorities to conduct controlled operations  
   198ZB.  Transitional provision for application for variation of authority  
   198ZC.  Transitional provision for Secretary's reports  
   198ZD.  Transitional provision for documents and general register  

   PART 11--DETERMINATION OF DISPUTES

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   199.    Application of this Part  
   200.    Definitions  

           Division 2--Application/referral process

   201.    Application or referral of disputed claim  
   202.    Jurisdiction  
   203.    Form of notice of referral  
   204.    Service of notice of referral on other parties  
   205.    Withdrawal application  

           Division 3--Compulsory conference in the court

   206.    Compulsory conference  
   207.    Objects of compulsory conference  
   208.    Parties may vary offer or claim  
   209.    Settlement  

           Division 4--Determinations

   210.    Determination of claim  
   211.    Principles to be applied in determining compensation  
   212.    Costs  
   213.    Payment of compensation  
   214.    Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
           SCHEDULE 3
           SCHEDULE 4
           SCHEDULE 5
           ENDNOTES


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