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Exotic Aquatic Organisms - International Development Research ...

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126<br />

The Role of the Commonwealth Government<br />

In Australia, responsibility for management of native fauna is vested with each State and<br />

Territory Government. The Commonwealth (Federal) Government has responsibilities for fauna<br />

in Commonwealth Territories, as well as for matters relating to fauna in import and export<br />

control, foreign affairs and foreign trade. Responsibility for fisheries management rests with the<br />

State and Territory Governments except for the above mentioned matters.<br />

In 1976, the Endangered Species Regulations were promulgated under the Customs Act<br />

1901. This legislation remained in force until 1 May 1984 when the Wildlife Protection<br />

(Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 came into effect.<br />

In the matter of import and export control of fish (excluding fish products'), the most<br />

important Commonwealth legislation is the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and<br />

Imports) Act 1982. This Act protects endangered wildlife and wildlife that would be threatened<br />

by continuation of unregulated trade (Schedules 1 and 2), generally precludes export of live<br />

Australian fauna for commercial purposes, and seeks to prevent introduction of live plants and<br />

animals that could adversely affect the Australian natural environment (Schedules 5 and 6).<br />

Schedule 6 contains a listing of aquarium fish, both freshwater and marire that are<br />

'permitted imports'. Schedules to the Act are regularly amended. With the commencement of the<br />

Act, all previous controls were consolidated into a single piece of legislation and responsibility<br />

for administration was placed with the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service<br />

(ANPWS).<br />

Under the Act, the export and import of wildlife (and wildlife products) which is threatened<br />

with extinction or considered endangered is strictly regulated. Permits for trade in such wildlife<br />

are provided where certain conditions prevail, and the trade is for scientific or bona fide<br />

zoological purposes, or the wildlife has been bred in captivity or artificially propagated.<br />

Importation of species, such as aquarium fish, which could threaten the survival of wildlife<br />

within Australia is also subject to control.<br />

Intending importers should write to the Director, ANPWS, GPO Box 636, Canberra, ACT<br />

2601 Australia and complete a proforma outlining distribution, ecology and potential of the<br />

species to establish feral populations.<br />

All applications are considered by the Advisory Committee on Live Fish (ACOLF) to the<br />

Standing Committee of the Australian Fisheries Council. This technical advisory committee<br />

includes Commonwealth Government (ANPWS, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service<br />

(AQIS)), State and Territory Fisheries Authorities (8 members), an expert on fish disease and an<br />

expert on aquarium fish and meets twice a year.<br />

Criteria used by ACOLF in assessing applications are attached (Appendix III); the emphasis<br />

being on the potential of the species to survive and disperse in the wild.<br />

The export of Australian wildlife requires a permit unless exempted by the Act. Export of<br />

live Australian animals is only permitted for scientific or bona fide zoological purposes, or as<br />

household pets, in which case there are stringent requirements which must be met.<br />

The Role of ANPWS in Administration<br />

ANPWS has, since proclamation of the Wildlife Protection Act, been endeavouring to<br />

strengthen and develop close liaison with all Australian Conservation agencies and with all<br />

Federal departments which have a relationship to the control of wildlife.

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