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Conservation (Freshwater Fisheries Regulation) Reform Bill Regulatory Impact Statement (PDF, 242K)

Summary

It is intended to improve the legislative toolbox for managing indigenous freshwater fish and specific threats to those fish (eg noxious fish and fish passage barriers).

Problem: The freshwater fisheries provisions in the Conservation Act need updating to provide an effective framework for managing indigenous freshwater fisheries. The current legislative framework, particularly the regulation-making powers, is out of date and not fit-for-purpose for the future. 

Proposed approach: The Government through the Minister of Conservation (and in some cases Minister of Fisheries) is responsible for managing freshwater indigenous fisheries. To do so an effective regulatory regime is needed. The only way to correct problems with the existing statutory regime is through legislative amendment. In some cases, correcting issues with the existing regulations will be impossible if the provisions in the Act on regulation-making are not corrected.