{"id":"fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017","name":"Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017","slug":"fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":235522,"registerId":"sa-fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-06","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017","content":"South Australia\nFisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017\nunder the Fisheries Management Act 2007\n\nContents\n1\tShort title\n3\tInterpretation\n4\tConversion of whole weight to meat weight\n5\tConstitution of fisheries\n6\tMaximum number of licences that may be in force\n7\tTransfer of licence\n8\tRegistration\n9\tRevocation of registration\n10\tIndividual catch quota system—Central Zone\n11\tIndividual catch quota system—Southern Zone\n12\tIndividual catch quota system—Western Zone\n13\tOnly 1 registered boat to be used at any 1 time\n14\tUse of registered masters in fishing activities\n15\tRegistered boat not to be transported or towed to fishing location\n16\tCatch and disposal requirements\n17\tPeriodic returns\n18\tProvision relating to keeping of records\n19\tMinister's determinations\nSchedule 2—Transitional provisions\nPart 2—Transitional provisions\n2\tEligibility to be granted fishery licence\nLegislative history\n\n1—Short title\nThese regulations may be cited as the Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017.\n3—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—\nabalone fishery means—\n\t(a)\tthe Central Zone Abalone Fishery; or\n\t(b)\tthe Southern Zone Abalone Fishery; or\n\t(c)\tthe Western Zone Abalone Fishery,\nconstituted by these regulations;\nAct means the Fisheries Management Act 2007;\nBlacklip Abalone means Haliotis rubra;\nCentral Zone means the waters adjacent to South Australia between the meridians of longitude 136°30′ East and 139° East, but does not include the waters of the Coorong or any other waters inside the Murray Mouth;\nconversion value means the number determined by the Minister to be the conversion value for the purpose of calculating the weight of abalone meat before removal from the shell;\nCorporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth;\ncurrent company extract means a document prepared by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission from its national database kept under the Corporations Act that contains current details of the following in relation to a company:\n\t(a)\tthe company's name;\n\t(b)\tthe address of the company's registered office;\n\t(c)\tthe date of registration of the company;\n\t(d)\tthe State or Territory in which the company is taken to be registered under the Corporations Act;\n\t(e)\tthe company's Australian Company Number;\n\t(f)\twhether the company is a proprietary company or a public company;\n\t(g)\tthe full name of each director of the company;\n\t(h)\tthe full name of each secretary (if any) of the company;\nDepartment means the administrative unit of the Public Service that is responsible for assisting a Minister in the administration of the Act;\nGreenlip Abalone means Haliotis laevigata;\nMean High Water Springs means the line representing the average of all high water observations at the time of spring tide over a period of 19 years;\nmeat, in relation to an abalone, means all the muscular foot of the abalone from which the viscera have been detached by the usual shucking procedure;\nSouthern Zone means the waters adjacent to South Australia east of the meridian of longitude 139° East;\nWestern Zone means the waters adjacent to South Australia west of the meridian of longitude 136°30′ East;\nwhole, in relation to an abalone, means the whole of the abalone including the meat, viscera and shell.\n\t(2)\tIn these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears, company, director, proprietary company and public company have the same respective meanings as in the Corporations Act.\n\t(3)\tIn these regulations—\n\t(a)\tall lines in spatial descriptions are geodesics based on the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020) as defined in the determination under section 8A of the National Measurement Act 1960 of the Commonwealth for the recognised-value standard of measurement position, and all coordinates are expressed in terms of GDA2020;\n\t(b)\tcommon and scientific fish names are given according to AS 5300—2015 Australian Fish Names Standard published by Standards Australia, as in force from time to time;\n\t(c)\ta reference to the taking of abalone includes a reference to an act preparatory to, or involved in, the taking of abalone.\n\t(4)\tIn these regulations, a reference to a class of abalone is a reference to a class of abalone determined by the Minister by reference to all or any of the following factors:\n\t(a)\ta species of abalone; or\n\t(b)\ta description of abalone by reference to sex, size, weight or any other characteristic.\n4—Conversion of whole weight to meat weight\nFor the purposes of these regulations, the weight of abalone meat before removal from the shell is to be determined by multiplying the number of kilograms in the weight of the whole abalone by the conversion value determined by the Minister for the time being.\n5—Constitution of fisheries\n\t(1)\tThe following fisheries are constituted:\n\t(a)\tthe Central Zone Abalone Fishery;\n\t(b)\tthe Southern Zone Abalone Fishery;\n\t(c)\tthe Western Zone Abalone Fishery.\n\t(2)\tThe Central Zone Abalone Fishery consists of the taking of abalone in the waters of the Central Zone.\n\t(3)\tThe Southern Zone Abalone Fishery consists of the taking of abalone in the waters of the Southern Zone.\n\t(4)\tThe Western Zone Abalone Fishery consists of the taking of abalone in the waters of the Western Zone.\n6—Maximum number of licences that may be in force\n\t(1)\tThe maximum number of licences that may be in force in respect of the Central Zone Abalone Fishery is the number of licences in force in respect of that fishery immediately before the commencement of this regulation.\n\t(2)\tThe maximum number of licences that may be in force in respect of the Southern Zone Abalone Fishery is the number of licences in force in respect of that fishery immediately before the commencement of this regulation.\n\t(3)\tThe maximum number of licences that may be in force in respect of the Western Zone Abalone Fishery is the number of licences in force in respect of that fishery immediately before the commencement of this regulation.\n7—Transfer of licence\n\t(1)\tLicences in respect of an abalone fishery are transferable.\n\t(2)\tAn application for consent to the transfer of a licence must be accompanied by—\n\t(a)\tthe licence to be transferred; and\n\t(b)\ta form of return as required by regulation 17 completed by the holder of the licence up to the date of application; and\n\t(c)\tif the transferee is a company—a current company extract relating to the transferee issued not more than 1 month immediately preceding the date of application.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may only consent to the transfer of a licence if satisfied as to the following:\n\t(a)\tthat any fees or other amounts payable in relation to the licence under the Act have been paid in full;\n\t(b)\tthat the licence to be transferred has not been suspended;\n\t(c)\tthat no proceedings alleging an offence against the Act are pending or likely to be commenced in the State against the holder of the licence;\n\t(d)\tif the transferee is a natural person, that the transferee is at least 15 years of age and is a fit and proper person to hold a licence in respect of an abalone fishery;\n\t(e)\tif the transferee is a company, that each director of the company is a fit and proper person to be a director of a company that holds a licence in respect of an abalone fishery;\n\t(f)\tif a boat registered for use under the licence is the subject of, or registered for use under, or is otherwise referred to in, a licence, permit, authority or other entitlement to take fish granted under a law of the Commonwealth or a corresponding law—\n\t(i)\tthat the entitlement is either to be transferred together with the licence to the transferee or to be surrendered on or before the transfer of the licence; or\n\t(ii)\tthat—\n\t(A)\tthe transfer of the licence separately from the entitlement is not likely to result in fishing activities that over‑exploit or endanger the aquatic resources of the State; and\n\t(B)\tthe person or body that granted the entitlement concurs with the separate transfer of the licence.\n8—Registration\nAn application by the holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery—\n\t(a)\tto register a boat or device for use under the licence; or\n\t(b)\tto register a person as a master of a boat that may be used under the licence,\nmust be accompanied by the documents specified in the application form.\n9—Revocation of registration\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may, on application by the holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery, revoke the registration of—\n\t(a)\ta boat or device used under the licence; or\n\t(b)\ta person as a master of a boat that may be used under the licence.\n\t(2)\tAn application for revocation of registration must—\n\t(a)\tbe made in a manner and form approved by the Minister; and\n\t(b)\tbe completed in accordance with the instructions contained in the form; and\n\t(c)\tbe accompanied by the documents specified in the application form.\n10—Individual catch quota system—Central Zone\n\t(1)\tIn this regulation—\nabalone quota entitlement or quota entitlement, in relation to a licence in respect of the fishery and a class of abalone, means the maximum number of kilograms of meat of abalone of that class that may be lawfully taken by the holder of the licence during a quota period, being the product of—\n\t(a)\tthe unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone; and\n\t(b)\tthe unit value for the fishery and that class of abalone and quota period,\nsubject to any variation applying during that quota period;\nfishery means the Central Zone Abalone Fishery;\nfollowing quota period, in relation to a first quota period and the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery, means the next quota period during which abalone may be taken by the holder of the licence following the first quota period;\nquota period—a quota period for the fishery is a period of 12 months commencing on 1 January;\nquota period 2020 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2020;\nquota period 2021 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2021;\nquota period 2022 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2022;\nquota period 2023 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2023;\nquota period 2024 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2024;\nquota period 2025 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2025;\nunit entitlement means the number of abalone units for the time being allocated to a licence in respect of the fishery in respect of a class of abalone;\nunit value means the number of kilograms of abalone meat determined by the Minister to be the value of an abalone unit for the fishery, a class of abalone and a quota period.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister—\n\t(a)\tmust determine—\n\t(i)\tthe number of kilograms of abalone meat that is to be the value of an abalone unit for the fishery, a class of abalone and each quota period; and\n\t(ii)\tthe conversion value for the fishery and a class of abalone;\n\t(b)\tmay, from time to time, vary the conversion value for the fishery and a class of abalone.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may vary conditions on licences in respect of the fishery fixing abalone quota entitlements as follows:\n\t(aa)\tif—\n\t(i)\tthe total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by holders of licences in respect of the fishery during the quota period 2020 falls short of the total allowable catch of abalone of that particular class for the fishery and that quota period; and\n\t(ii)\tthe total catch of abalone of that class taken by at least 1 holder of a licence in respect of the fishery during the quota period 2020 falls short of the quota entitlement under that licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period by an amount exceeding 50 kilograms of abalone meat,\nthe Minister may vary the conditions of all licences in respect of the fishery so as to increase the quota entitlements under the licences in respect of that class of abalone for the quota periods 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 by the same number of abalone units;\n\t(a)\ton joint application made to the Minister by the holders of any 2 licences, the conditions of the licences may be varied so as to increase the unit entitlement under 1 of the licences in respect of a particular class of abalone and decrease the unit entitlement under the other licence in respect of that class of abalone by a corresponding number of units;\n\t(b)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during a quota period (the first quota period) (being a quota period that commenced on or after 1 January 2022) is less than the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period, the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the following quota period (the subsequent quota period) by 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram by which the catch fell short of the abalone quota entitlement for the first quota period up to—\n\t(i)\t—\n\t(A)\t10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the subsequent quota period; or\n\t(ii)\tif the Minister is satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply—\n\t(A)\ta percentage that exceeds 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch other greater kilogram amount of abalone meat,\nas is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the subsequent quota period;\n\t(c)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during a quota period (the first quota period) (being a quota period that commences on or after 1 January 2023) exceeded the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period, the conditions of the licence may be varied so as to decrease the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the following quota period (the subsequent quota period) as follows:\n\t(i)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by—\n\t(A)\tan amount not exceeding 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the first quota period,\nby 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement; or\n\t(ii)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by—\n\t(A)\tan amount greater than 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the first quota period,\nby 2 kilograms of abalone meat for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement.\n\t(e)\tif—\n\t(i)\tthe holder of a licence has assisted in the carrying out of research work under the Act in relation to the fishery; and\n\t(ii)\tthe Minister considers that it is appropriate to compensate or reward the holder of the licence for the time spent in providing that assistance,\nthe Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement under the licence;\n\t(f)\ta variation of a quota entitlement or unit entitlement under this subregulation (other than under paragraph (a)) must be expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made.\n\t(4)\tFor the purposes of—\n\t(a)\tsubregulation (3)(b)(i) and (ii); and\n\t(b)\tsubregulation (3)(c)(i) and (ii),\nthe following must be disregarded:\n\t(c)\tany increase in the quota entitlement under a licence applying during a first quota period as a result of a variation of the quota entitlement under the licence made under subregulation (3)(aa);\n\t(d)\tany increase in the quota entitlement under a licence applying during a first quota period as a result of—\n\t(i)\ta variation of the quota entitlement under the licence previously made under subregulation (3)(b)(i) or (ii); and\n\t(ii)\tin the case of the quota period that ends on 31 December 2022—a variation of the quota entitlement under the licence made under subregulation (3)(d)(i) as in force immediately before the commencement of this paragraph.\n\t(4a)\tAn application under subregulation (3)(a) may not be made in respect of abalone units allocated to the licence under subregulation (3)(b).\n\t(5)\tAn application to vary unit entitlements must—\n\t(a)\tbe made in a manner and form approved by the Minister; and\n\t(b)\tbe completed in accordance with the instructions contained in the form; and\n\t(c)\tbe accompanied by the prescribed fee.\n\t(6)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of the fishery must not, for a commercial purpose, take abalone of any class if the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of either class of abalone specified in column 1 of the following table falls below the number specified alongside in column 2.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n\nColumn 1\nClass of abalone\nColumn 2\nUnit entitlement\nBlacklip Abalone\n25\nGreenlip Abalone\n25\n\t(7)\tFor the purposes of subregulation (6), if the conditions of a licence in respect of the fishery are varied so as to decrease the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of a class of abalone and the variation is expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made, the number of abalone units in the decrease must be taken to form part of the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone in determining whether the unit entitlement under the licence falls below the minimum specified in the table.\n11—Individual catch quota system—Southern Zone\n\t(1)\tIn this regulation—\nabalone quota entitlement or quota entitlement, in relation to a licence in respect of the fishery and a class of abalone, means the maximum number of kilograms of meat of abalone of that class that may be lawfully taken by the holder of the licence during a quota period, being the product of—\n\t(a)\tthe unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone; and\n\t(b)\tthe unit value for that class of abalone and quota period,\nsubject to any variation applying during that quota period;\nfishery means the Southern Zone Abalone Fishery;\nquota period—a quota period for the fishery is—\n\t(a)\tthe period commencing on 1 October 2022 and ending on 31 August 2023; or\n\t(b)\tthe period of 12 months commencing on 1 September 2023 or on 1 September in any subsequent year;\nquota period 2019‑2020 means the quota period that ended on 30 September 2020;\nquota period 2020‑2021 means the quota period ending on 30 September 2021;\nquota period 2021‑2022 means the quota period ending on 30 September 2022;\nquota period 2022‑2023 means the quota period ending on 31 August 2023;\nunit entitlement means the number of abalone units for the time being allocated to a licence in respect of the fishery in respect of a class of abalone;\nunit value means the number of kilograms of abalone meat determined by the Minister to be the value of an abalone unit for a class of abalone and a quota period.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister—\n\t(a)\tmust determine—\n\t(i)\tthe number of kilograms of abalone meat that is to be the value of an abalone unit for a class of abalone and each quota period; and\n\t(ii)\tthe conversion value for a class of abalone; and\n\t(b)\tmay, from time to time, vary the conversion value for a class of abalone.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may impose or vary conditions on licences in respect of the fishery fixing abalone quota entitlements as follows:\n\t(a)\ton joint application made to the Minister by the holders of any 2 licences, the conditions of those licences may be varied so as to increase the unit entitlement under 1 of the licences in respect of a particular class of abalone and decrease the unit entitlement under the other licence in respect of that class of abalone by a corresponding number of units;\n\t(b)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence during a quota period exceeded the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and quota period, the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to decrease the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone—\n\t(i)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by not more than 50 kilograms of abalone meat—by 1 kilogram for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement; or\n\t(ii)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by more than 50 kilograms but not more than 100 kilograms of abalone meat—by 2 kilograms for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement;\n\t(c)\tif—\n\t(i)\tthe holder of a licence in respect of the fishery is convicted of an offence of contravening a condition of the licence fixing an abalone quota entitlement; and\n\t(ii)\tthe conduct constituting the offence involved the taking of more than 100 kilograms of abalone meat in excess of the quota entitlement,\nthe conditions of the licence may be varied so as to decrease the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of the class of abalone that was taken for 3 quota periods following the conviction by 1 kilogram for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement for the quota period during which the offence was committed;\n\t(d)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence during a quota period is less than the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period, the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to—\n\t(i)\tincrease the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone by 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram by which the catch fell short of the quota entitlement (but in any case by not more than 50 kilograms); and\n\t(ii)\tprohibit any additional abalone units allocated to the licence as a result of the increase in the quota entitlement made under subparagraph (i) from being transferred to another licence; and\n\t(iii)\tin addition to any increase in the quota entitlement made under subparagraph (i), if the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken during the quota period 2019‑2020 fell short of the quota entitlement for that quota period by an amount exceeding 50 kilograms of abalone meat—increase the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the quota periods 2020‑2021, 2021‑2022 and 2022‑2023 by up to 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram above 50 kilograms by which the total catch fell short of the quota entitlement for the quota period 2019‑2020;\n\t(e)\tif—\n\t(i)\tthe holder of a licence has assisted in the carrying out of research work under the Act in relation to the fishery; and\n\t(ii)\tthe Minister considers that it is appropriate to compensate or reward the holder of the licence for the time spent in providing that assistance,\nthe Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement under the licence;\n\t(f)\ta variation of a quota entitlement or unit entitlement under this subregulation (other than paragraph (a) or (c)) must be expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made.\n\t(3a)\tIn determining whether to vary the conditions of a licence under subregulation (3)(d)(iii) so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of a particular class of abalone and the quota period 2021‑2022 or 2022‑2023, the Minister must take into account—\n\t(a)\tthe total catch of abalone of that class taken by the holder of the licence during the quota period 2020‑2021 or 2021‑2022 (as the case requires); and\n\t(b)\tany increase in the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone for the quota period 2020‑2021 or 2021‑2022 (as the case requires) under subregulation (3)(d)(iii).\n\t(4)\tFor the purposes of subregulation (3)(d), in determining whether the total catch of abalone during a particular quota period was less than the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that quota period, any increase in the quota entitlement applying during that period as a result of a variation made under that subregulation must be disregarded.\n\t(5)\tAn application to vary unit entitlements must—\n\t(a)\tbe made in a manner and form approved by the Minister; and\n\t(b)\tbe completed in accordance with the instructions contained in the form; and\n\t(c)\tbe accompanied by the prescribed fee.\n\t(6)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of the fishery must not, for a commercial purpose, take abalone of any class if the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of either class of abalone specified in column 1 of the following table falls below the number specified alongside in column 2.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n\nColumn 1\nClass of abalone\nColumn 2\nUnit entitlement\nBlacklip Abalone\n100\nGreenlip Abalone\n5\n\t(7)\tFor the purposes of subregulation (6), if the conditions of a licence in respect of the fishery are varied so as to decrease the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of a class of abalone and the variation is expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made, the number of abalone units in the decrease must be taken to form part of the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone in determining whether the unit entitlement under the licence falls below the minimum specified in the table.\n12—Individual catch quota system—Western Zone\n\t(1)\tIn this regulation—\nabalone quota entitlement or quota entitlement, in relation to a licence in respect of the fishery and a class of abalone, means the maximum number of kilograms of meat of abalone of that class that may be lawfully taken by the holder of the licence during a quota period, being the product of—\n\t(a)\tthe unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone; and\n\t(b)\tthe unit value for that class of abalone and quota period,\nsubject to any variation applying during that quota period;\nfishery means the Western Zone Abalone Fishery;\nfollowing quota period, in relation to a first quota period and the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery, means the next quota period during which abalone may be taken by the holder of the licence following the first quota period;\nquota period—a quota period for the fishery is a period of 12 months commencing on 1 January;\nquota period 2020 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2020;\nquota period 2021 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2021;\nquota period 2022 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2022;\nquota period 2023 means the quota period ending on 31 December 2023;\nunit entitlement, in relation to a licence in respect of the fishery and a class of abalone, means the number of abalone units for the time being allocated to the licence in respect of that class of abalone;\nunit value means the number of kilograms of abalone meat determined by the Minister to be the value of an abalone unit for a class of abalone and a quota period.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister—\n\t(a)\tmust determine—\n\t(i)\tthe number of kilograms of abalone meat that is to be the value of an abalone unit for a class of abalone and each quota period; and\n\t(ii)\tthe conversion value for a class of abalone; and\n\t(b)\tmay from time to time vary the conversion value for a class of abalone.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister may impose or vary conditions on licences in respect of the fishery fixing abalone quota entitlements as follows:\n\t(a)\ton joint application made to the Minister by the holders of any 2 licences subject to conditions fixing abalone quota entitlements in respect of the same class of abalone, the conditions of the licences may be varied so as to increase the unit entitlement under 1 of the licences in respect of that class of abalone and decrease the unit entitlement under the other licence in respect of that class of abalone by a corresponding number of units;\n\t(b)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery during the quota period 2020 fell short of the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period by an amount exceeding 50 kilograms of abalone meat, the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the quota periods 2021, 2022 and 2023 by up to 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram above 50 kilograms by which the total catch fell short of the quota entitlement for the quota period 2020;\n\t(c)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during a quota period (the first quota period) (being a quota period that commenced on or after 1 January 2022) is less than the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period, the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the following quota period (the subsequent quota period) by 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram by which the catch fell short of the abalone quota entitlement for the first quota period up to—\n\t(i)\t—\n\t(A)\t10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the subsequent quota period; or\n\t(ii)\tif the Minister is satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply—\n\t(A)\ta percentage that exceeds 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch other greater kilogram amount of abalone meat,\nas is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the subsequent quota period;\n\t(d)\tif the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during a quota period (the first quota period) (being a quota period that commences on or after 1 January 2023) exceeded the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and that quota period, the conditions of the licence may be varied so as to decrease the quota entitlement in respect of that class of abalone for the following quota period (the subsequent quota period) as follows:\n\t(i)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by—\n\t(A)\tan amount not exceeding 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the first quota period,\nby 1 kilogram of abalone meat for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement; or\n\t(ii)\tif the catch exceeded the quota entitlement by—\n\t(A)\tan amount greater than 10% of the quota entitlement for the first quota period; or\n\t(B)\tsuch lower percentage of the quota entitlement for the first quota period, or such other lower kilogram amount of abalone meat, as is determined by the Minister on or before the commencement of the first quota period,\nby 2 kilograms of abalone meat for each kilogram taken in excess of the quota entitlement;\n\t(e)\tif—\n\t(i)\tthe holder of a licence has assisted in the carrying out of research work under the Act in relation to the fishery; and\n\t(ii)\tthe Minister considers that it is appropriate to compensate or reward the holder of the licence for the time spent in providing that assistance,\nthe Minister may vary the conditions of the licence so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement under the licence;\n\t(f)\ta variation of a quota entitlement or unit entitlement under this subregulation (other than paragraph (a)) must be expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made.\n\t(3a)\tIn determining whether to vary the conditions of a licence under subregulation (3)(b) so as to increase the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of a particular class of abalone and the quota period 2022 or 2023, the Minister must take into account—\n\t(a)\tthe total catch of abalone of that class taken by the holder of the licence during the quota period 2021 or 2022 (as the case requires); and\n\t(b)\tany increase in the abalone quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone for the quota period 2021 or 2022 (as the case requires) under subregulation (3)(b).\n\t(4)\tFor the purposes of—\n\t(a)\tsubregulation (3)(c)(i) and (ii); and\n\t(b)\tsubregulation (3)(d)(i) and (ii),\nthe following must be disregarded:\n\t(c)\tany increase in the quota entitlement under a licence applying during a first quota period as a result of a variation of the quota entitlement under the licence made under subregulation (3)(b);\n\t(d)\tany increase in the quota entitlement under a licence applying during a first quota period as a result of—\n\t(i)\ta variation of the quota entitlement under the licence previously made under subregulation (3)(c)(i) or (ii); and\n\t(ii)\tin the case of the quota period that ends on 31 December 2022—a variation of the quota entitlement under the licence made under subregulation (3)(d)(i) or (iii) as in force immediately before the commencement of this paragraph.\n\t(4a)\tAn application under subregulation (3)(a) may not be made in respect of abalone units allocated to the licence under subregulation (3)(c).\n\t(5)\tAn application to vary unit entitlements must—\n\t(a)\tbe made in a manner and form approved by the Minister; and\n\t(b)\tbe completed in accordance with the instructions contained in the form; and\n\t(c)\tbe accompanied by the prescribed fee.\n\t(6)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of the fishery must not, for a commercial purpose, take abalone if the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of a class of abalone specified in column 1 of the following table falls below the number specified alongside in column 2.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n\nColumn 1\nClass of abalone\nColumn 2\nUnit entitlement\nBlacklip Abalone\n25\nGreenlip Abalone\n27.5\n\t(7)\tFor the purposes of subregulation (6), if the conditions of a licence in respect of the fishery are varied so as to decrease the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of a class of abalone and the variation is expressed to apply only for the quota period during which the variation is made, the number of abalone units in the decrease must be taken to form part of the unit entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone in determining whether the unit entitlement under the licence falls below the minimum specified in the table.\n13—Only 1 registered boat to be used at any 1 time\nThe holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery must not—\n\t(a)\tuse more than 1 registered boat at any 1 time to take abalone under the licence; or\n\t(b)\tcause, suffer or permit more than 1 registered boat to be used at any 1 time to take abalone under the licence.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $315.\n14—Use of registered masters in fishing activities\n\t(1)\tSubject to this regulation, the holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery must not cause, suffer or permit more than 1 person (who must be a registered master) to engage in fishing activities under the licence on the same day.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $315.\n\t(2)\tSubregulation (1) does not prevent—\n\t(a)\t1 other (and only 1 other) registered master from engaging in fishing activities under a licence in respect of the Southern Zone Abalone Fishery on the same day as the first registered master provided that the 2 registered masters are not diving at the same time; or\n\t(b)\t1 other (and only 1 other) registered master who is a trainee diver from engaging in fishing activities under a licence in respect of an abalone fishery on the same day as the first registered master provided that—\n\t(i)\tat all times while engaged in fishing activities, the trainee diver is under the direct supervision of the first registered master; and\n\t(ii)\tthe trainee diver does not engage in fishing activities under the licence on more than 10 days in any quota period for the abalone fishery.\n\t(3)\tIn this regulation—\nquota period for an abalone fishery—see regulation 10(1), regulation 11(1) and regulation 12(1);\ntrainee diver means a person with less than 30 days commercial abalone diving experience.\n15—Registered boat not to be transported or towed to fishing location\nThe holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery must not cause, suffer or permit a registered boat to be transported or towed by another boat to a place at which the registered boat is to be used for the purpose of taking abalone under the licence.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\n16—Catch and disposal requirements\n\t(1)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery or the registered master of a boat from which abalone is taken under such a licence must comply with the following provisions:\n\t(a)\tthe holder of the licence or registered master must, in the manner and form, at such places and at such times, as determined by the Minister, record such information in respect of the catch and disposal of abalone taken under the licence as determined by the Minister;\n\t(b)\tthe holder of the licence or registered master must provide the information recorded under paragraph (a) to the Department in the manner and form, and at such times, as determined by the Minister;\n\t(c)\tthe holder of the licence or registered master must ensure that abalone taken under the licence is weighed, stored, placed in containers, sealed, tagged, and transported, delivered, consigned or otherwise disposed of, and accompanied by such information, in accordance with the requirements (if any) as determined by the Minister.\n\t(2)\tIf a determination of the Minister made for the purposes of subregulation (1) is not complied with, the holder of the licence and the registered master of the registered boat are each guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n\t(3)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery must keep records made under subregulation (1) in the manner, at such place, and for such period, as determined by the Minister.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $315.\n17—Periodic returns\n\t(1)\tThe holder of a licence in respect of an abalone fishery must provide the Department with such returns in the manner and form, at such times and containing such information, as determined by the Minister.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n\t(2)\tThe holder of a licence must keep a record of each return that the licence holder provides to the Department under this regulation in such manner, and for such period, as determined by the Minister.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\nExpiation fee: $500.\n18—Provision relating to keeping of records\nA person required under these regulations to keep a record for a period of time must ensure that the record—\n\t(a)\tis maintained in a good condition and is legible; and\n\t(b)\tis kept so that it is readily accessible; and\n\t(c)\tis produced for inspection by a fisheries officer on request.\nMaximum penalty: $2 500.\nExpiation fee: $210.\n19—Minister's determinations\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may make a determination for the purposes of a regulation.\n\t(2)\tA determination may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general or limited application; and\n\t(b)\tmake different provision according to the persons, things or circumstances to which it is expressed to apply.\n\t(3)\tIf the Minister makes a determination, notice of the determination—\n\t(a)\tmust be published on the Department's website; and\n\t(b)\tmay also be published in the Gazette.\n\t(4)\tAs soon as practicable after a determination of the Minister is made, a notice in writing setting out the date on which notice of the determination is published and the terms of the determination must be given to the persons bound by the determination in a manner and form that, in the opinion of the Minister, will bring the determination to the attention of those persons.\n\t(5)\tThe Minister may, by further determination, vary or revoke a determination.\n\t(6)\tThis regulation does not apply in relation to a determination made for the purposes of regulation 10, 11 or 12.\nSchedule 2—Transitional provisions\nPart 2—Transitional provisions\n2—Eligibility to be granted fishery licence\n\t(1)\tOnly a person who is, immediately before the commencement of this clause, the holder of a licence in respect of the Central Zone Abalone Fishery, may make an application under section 54 of the Act for a licence in respect of that fishery.\n\t(2)\tOnly a person who is, immediately before the commencement of this clause, the holder of a licence in respect of the Southern Zone Abalone Fishery, may make an application under section 54 of the Act for a licence in respect of that fishery.\n\t(3)\tOnly a person who is, immediately before the commencement of this clause, the holder of a licence in respect of the Western Zone Abalone Fishery, may make an application under section 54 of the Act for a licence in respect of that fishery.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of these regulations (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nLegislation revoked by principal regulations\nThe Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017 revoked the following:\nFisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2006\nPrincipal regulations and variations\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nReference\nCommencement\n2017\n220\nGazette 8.8.2017 p3160 \n15.1.2018: r 2\n2020\n320\nGazette 17.12.2020 p5780\n17.12.2020: r 2\n2022\n74\nGazette 1.9.2022 p5816\n1.10.2022 except rr 3, 5 & Sch 1—1.1.2023: r 2\n2023\n18\nGazette 20.4.2023 p801\n1.5.2023: r 2\nProvisions varied\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nr 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n17.12.2020\nr 3\n\n\nr 3(3)\namended by 18/2023 r 3\n1.5.2023\nr 10\n\n\nr 10(1)\n\n\nfollowing quota period\ninserted by 74/2022 r 3(1)\n1.1.2023\nquota period 2020\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2021\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2022\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2023\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2024\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2025\ninserted by 320/2020 r 4(1)\n17.12.2020\nr 10(3)\nvaried by 320/2020 r 4(2), (3)\n17.12.2020\n\namended by 74/2022 r 3(2), (3)\n1.1.2023\n\n(d) deleted by 74/2022 r 3(2)\n1.1.2023\nr 10(4)\nsubstituted by 74/2022 r 3(4)\n1.1.2023\nr 10(4a)\ninserted by 74/2022 r 3(4)\n1.1.2023\nr 11\n\n\nr 11(1)\n\n\nabalone fishing area\ndeleted by 18/2023 r 4\n1.5.2023\nquota period\nsubstituted by 74/2022 r 4(1)\n1.10.2022\nquota period 2019-2020\ninserted by 320/2020 r 5(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2020-2021\ninserted by 320/2020 r 5(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2021-2022\ninserted by 320/2020 r 5(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2022-2023\ninserted by 320/2020 r 5(1)\n17.12.2020\n\namended by 74/2022 r 4(2)\n1.10.2022\nr 11(3)\nvaried by 320/2020 r 5(2)\n17.12.2020\nr 11(3a)\ninserted by 320/2020 r 5(3)\n17.12.2020\nr 12\n\n\nr 12(1)\n\n\nfollowing quota period\ninserted by 74/2022 r 5(1)\n1.1.2023\nquota period 2020\ninserted by 320/2020 r 6(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2021\ninserted by 320/2020 r 6(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2022\ninserted by 320/2020 r 6(1)\n17.12.2020\nquota period 2023\ninserted by 320/2020 r 6(1)\n17.12.2020\nr 12(3)\nvaried by 320/2020 r 6(2)\n17.12.2020\n\namended by 74/2022 r 5(2), (3)\n1.1.2023\nr 12(3a)\ninserted by 320/2020 r 6(3)\n17.12.2020\n\namended by 74/2022 r 5(4)\n1.1.2023\nr 12(4)\nsubstituted by 74/2022 r 5(5)\n1.1.2023\nr 12(4a)\ninserted by 74/2022 r 5(5)\n1.1.2023\nSch 1\ndeleted by 18/2023 r 5\n1.5.2023\nSch 2\n\n\nPt 1\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n17.12.2020\nTransitional etc provisions associated with regulations or variations\nFisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) (Quota) Amendment Regulations 2022 (No 74 of 2022), Sch 1—Transitional provisions etc\n1—Interpretation\nIn this Schedule—\nprincipal regulations means the Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017;\nrelevant day means 1 January 2023.\n2—Transitional provisions etc\n\t(1)\tIf the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the Central Zone Abalone Fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during the quota period that commenced on 1 January 2022 exceeded the quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and quota period, then despite the deletion of regulation 10(3)(b) of the principal regulations by regulation 3(2) of these regulations, regulation 10(3)(b), as in force immediately before the relevant day, continues to apply to the licence such that the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence, in accordance with that regulation, in relation to the quota period commencing on 1 January 2023.\n\t(2)\tIf the total catch of abalone of a particular class taken by the holder of a licence in respect of the Western Zone Abalone Fishery subject to a condition fixing an abalone quota entitlement during the quota period that commenced on 1 January 2022 exceeded the quota entitlement under the licence in respect of that class of abalone and quota period, then despite the deletion of regulation 12(3)(b) of the principal regulations by regulation 5(2) of these regulations, regulation 12(3)(b), as in force immediately before the relevant day, continues to apply to the licence such that the Minister may vary the conditions of the licence, in accordance with that regulation, in relation to the quota period commencing on 1 January 2023.\nHistorical versions\n17.12.2020\n\n1.10.2022\n\n1.1.2023\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text was not available in the submitted document. The submission returned a 'Page Not Found' error from the SA legislation website, providing no substantive content about the regulation's provisions or intent."},"complexity_factors":["No actual legislative text was provided — the document is a website error page, not legislation","Complexity cannot be meaningfully assessed without the substantive regulatory content","Score of 1 reflects the absence of any legal provisions to analyse, not simplicity of the underlying law"],"plain_english_summary":"The Fisheries Management (Abalone Fisheries) Regulations 2017 (SA) (page unavailable) is a South Australian regulation under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 that—by its title—would regulate harvesting of abalone in SA waters, affecting commercial fishers, licence‑holders and recreational divers through rules on permits, catch limits, zones and compliance. This matters for resource sustainability, legal fishing operations and enforcement; obtain the current text from legislation.sa.gov.au or OPCWeb@sa.gov.au."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations both preserve existing licence counts (reg 6) and restrict new entry by limiting eligibility to existing licence‑holders (Schedule 2 cl 2). They introduce zone‑specific individual catch quota mechanics and ministerial power to set/adjust unit and conversion values and quota entitlements (regs 5, 10–12, 4, 19). These changes alter who may enter the fishery and how entitlements evolve, shifting more operational discretion to the Minister and creating administratively managed entitlement adjustments (see regs 10(2)–(3), 11(3), 12(3), Sch 2)."},"complexity_factors":["Zone‑specific quota regimes with differing quota periods and minima (regs 10–12) increase rule-variability across fisheries.","Quota entitlement is a formula of unit entitlement × unit value, with conversion rules set by the Minister (regs 10(1), 11(1), 12(1), 4, 10(2), 11(2), 12(2)).","Extensive ministerial discretion to determine unit values, conversion values and to vary quotas or conditions (regs 10(2), 11(2), 12(2), 10(3), 11(3), 12(3), 19).","Complex variation rules including carry‑forward increases, tapering decreases, exceptional‑circumstances overrides and temporal limitations (regs 10(3)(aa), 10(3)(b)-(d), 11(3)(b)-(d), 12(3)(b)-(d), and related subregs).","Administrative and eligibility requirements for licence transfer, company extracts and fitness‑to‑hold tests add transactional complexity (reg 7(2)–(3)).","Recordkeeping, periodic returns and Ministerial determinations with publication and notice requirements create ongoing compliance burdens (regs 16–19).","Multiple numeric thresholds and penalty/expiation regimes across offences increase enforcement complexity (regs 10(6), 11(6), 12(6), 13–18).","Transitional provisions and staged amendments change application of rules across quota periods and licences (Schedule 2; amendment history entries).","Interplay with the principal Act and external instruments (Corporations Act for company meanings, ASIC extracts, and Ministerial determinations) multiplies cross‑references (reg 3(1)-(3), reg 7(2)(c))."],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out how commercial abalone fishing is managed in three South Australian zones. They create unit‑based individual catch quotas, let the Minister set unit and conversion values and vary quota entitlements, prescribe licence transfer and registration rules, limit use of boats and masters, and require reporting, recordkeeping and tagging. Licence‑holders pay compliance costs and face penalties; the Minister decides unit values, quota variations and determinations (regs 10–12, 19). The rules change incentives by tying entitlement to unit allocations and by restricting licence numbers and eligibility (reg 6; Sch 2)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has evolved significantly beyond simple fishery constitution. Originally likely intended to establish zones and basic quotas, it has grown into a sophisticated economic management system with banking/borrowing provisions (carry-over of unused quota), penalty structures for over-fishing, research compensation mechanisms, and complex transitional arrangements spanning 2020-2025. The 2020, 2022, and 2023 amendments added granular quota period definitions, modified carry-over rules, and inserted transitional savings provisions—indicating the framework has been repeatedly adjusted to address specific industry and sustainability concerns rather than remaining static."},"complexity_factors":["Three separate but parallel quota systems (Regulations 10, 11, and 12) with subtly different rules, definitions, and quota periods","Extensive cross-referencing between zones and quota periods, with specific transitional provisions for 2020-2025","Nested conditional logic for quota adjustments: under-catching triggers carry-over provisions with percentage caps (10% default, variable by Minister, exceptional circumstances exceptions), while over-catching triggers penalty reductions with tiered rates (1:1 for minor overages, 2:1 for major overages)","27 defined terms in the interpretation section, including technical scientific names (Haliotis rubra, Haliotis laevigata), geodetic datum references (GDA2020), and complex spatial boundaries using meridians","Multiple disregarding clauses (regulations 10(4), 12(4)) that require readers to ignore certain variations when calculating subsequent variations","Prohibitions on transferring specific types of allocated units (regulations 10(4a), 12(4a))","Different minimum unit entitlements for each zone and species (Central: 25/25, Southern: 100/5, Western: 25/27.5)","Transitional provisions in Schedule 2 and the 2022 amendment regulations that preserve old rules for specific historical quota periods","Incorporation of external standards (AS 5300—2015 Australian Fish Names Standard, Corporations Act 2001 definitions)","Ministerial discretion points throughout, including conversion values, unit values, and determinations for record-keeping requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets the rules for commercial abalone fishing in South Australian waters. It divides the state into three fishing zones (Central, Southern, and Western) and establishes a quota system to limit how much abalone each licensed fisher can harvest.\n\n**Key points:**\n\n- **Who it affects:** Commercial fishers holding licences to harvest abalone in South Australian waters, specifically for Blacklip and Greenlip Abalone species.\n\n- **Three-zone system:** The regulations create three distinct fisheries based on longitude lines:\n  - **Central Zone:** Between 136°30′ East and 139° East (excluding the Coorong and Murray Mouth)\n  - **Southern Zone:** East of 139° East\n  - **Western Zone:** West of 136°30′ East\n\n- **Quota system:** Each licence holder gets a quota entitlement measured in kilograms of abalone meat. This is calculated by multiplying \"abalone units\" by a \"unit value\" set by the Minister. The system allows:\n  - Transferring units between licences (with approval)\n  - Carrying over unused quota to future periods (with limits)\n  - Penalties for exceeding quotas (including double penalties for significant over-catches)\n  - Bonus quotas for assisting with research\n\n- **Operational rules:**\n  - Only one registered boat can be used at a time\n  - Generally only one registered master (diver) per day, though the Southern Zone allows a second diver if they don't dive simultaneously\n  - Trainee divers can work under direct supervision (limited to 10 days per quota period)\n  - Boats cannot be towed to fishing locations\n\n- **Record keeping:** Fishers must maintain detailed catch and disposal records, submit periodic returns to the Department, and comply with Ministerial determinations on weighing, tagging, and transporting abalone.\n\n- **Licence transfers:** Licences can be sold or transferred, but the Minister must approve transfers and verify that fees are paid, no offences are pending, and transferees are \"fit and proper\" persons.\n\n- **Closed shop:** Only existing licence holders can apply for new licences in each zone—no new entrants can join the fishery.\n\nThe regulations aim to prevent overfishing by capping total catch, allowing sustainable trading of fishing rights, and ensuring accurate tracking of all harvested abalone from sea to sale."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017","history":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-abalone-fisheries-regulations-2017/documents"}}