{"id":"F2021L00460","name":"Fisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2021","slug":"fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":440814,"registerId":"F2021L00460-fast-fetch-1775956311893","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2021","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 20.2\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nFisheries Management (E-Monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2021\n\n \n\nI, WEZ NORRIS, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, as delegate under delegation No. 2 of 2016 made on 14 November 2016 from the AFMA Commission, make the following Direction pursuant to s40A(1) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.\n\nDated    16 April 2021\n\nWez Norris\n\nChief Executive Officer, Australian Fisheries Management Authority\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1. Name\n\n2. Commencement\n\n3. Authority\n\n4. Definitions\n\n5. Schedules\n\n6. Requirement to install and operate an e-monitoring system on longline boats\n\n7. Requirement to monitor function, of an e-monitoring system, arrange repair and provide e-monitoring data\n\n8. Requirement to provide certain information to AFMA\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nFisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2020.\n\n \n\n1. Name\n\n\n  This instrument is the Fisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2021.\n\n2.      Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this instrument This Instrument commences on 1 May 2021.\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.\n\n3.      Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under s40A(1) of the Act.\n\n4.      Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in s4 of the Act, and s3 of the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2005 including the following:\n\n(a)      boat;\n\n(b)     e-monitoring;\n\n(c)      fishing concession;\n\n(d)     holder;\n\n(e)      fish.\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Fisheries Management Act 1991.\n\n \n\nContractor means the party contracted as AFMA’s agents to provide e-monitoring systems and associated services.\n\nData drive means a component of an e-monitoring system that can store e-monitoring data and can be removed by the operator of the e-monitoring system but does not include removable Random Access Memory.\n\n \n\nE-monitoring system means e-monitoring equipment and peripheral equipment approved by AFMA, that can:\n\n(a)    record, store and transmit details of a boat’s position and activity; and\n\n(b)    record, store and transmit details of the e-monitoring system’s status; and\n\n(c)    record (including visually) and store all fishing events. \n\nFishing event means the setting of fishing gear, hauling of fishing gear, and handling of catch.\n\n5.      Schedules\n\n  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.\n\n6.      Requirement to install and operate an e-monitoring system on longline boats\n\n(1)    A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of the concession holder) fishing in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (WTBF) engaging in longline fishing must have an e-monitoring system installed and operating on a nominated that:\n\n(a)    is supplied to the person and installed by AFMA or the Contractor; or\n\n(b)    complies with the standards and requirements specified in the certificate granting the statutory fishing right.\n\n(2)    For the purpose of s40A(3) of the Act, the obligation prescribed in this clause must be complied with no later than 3 months from the date of this direction commencing or on the day the e-monitoring system is first installed within this period.\n\n(3)    Subject to clause 6(4), a concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must take all reasonable steps to ensure the e-monitoring system is operational at all times and capable of recording all longline fishing events.\n\nNote: Clause 7(2) imposes certain obligations on a person subject to the requirement to install an e-monitoring system if the e-monitoring system ceases to function correctly.\n\n(4)    An installed e-monitoring system may be powered off if:\n\n(a)    the nominated boat is in port; and\n\n(b)    the nominated boat has an operational Vessel Monitoring System installed.\n\n7.      Requirement to monitor function, of an e-monitoring system, arrange repair and provide e-monitoring data\n\n(1)    A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must take all reasonable steps to maintain their e-monitoring system in good working order by:\n\n (a) undertaking system function tests:\n\n (i) immediately after a data drive exchange;\n\n (ii) prior to starting a new trip;\n\n (iii) when there is a reasonable suspicion of issues or fault with the system; and\n\n (iv) after any periods of inactivity greater than 14 days.\n\n (b) reporting suspected issues with the e-monitoring system to AFMA, or the Contractor, as soon as practicable;\n\n (c) cleaning camera lenses to ensure that a clear field of view is maintained at all times; and\n\n (d) ensuring camera views of fishing events remain unobstructed and well-lit.\n\n (2) If the e-monitoring system stops operating, the concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must:\n\n (a) contact AFMA or the Contractor as soon as practicable after the concession holder (or person acting on behalf of the concession holder) becomes aware that the e-monitoring system has stopped operating to organise repairs of the e-monitoring system; and\n\n (b) take all reasonable steps to make the boat available at the earliest time agreed to with AFMA or the Contractor.\n\n (3) A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must, in accordance with the requirements in clause 7(4), exchange the e-monitoring system’s data drive and return it to AFMA when:\n\n (a) the data drive’s capacity is reached; or \n\n (b) the data drive has failed a system test and a replacement data drive has been issued; or\n\n (c) instructed by AFMA or the Contractor.\n\n  whichever occurs first.\n\n (4) A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must exchange the e-monitoring system’s data drive and return it to AFMA by:\n\n (a) removing the data drive and packaging the drive in a preaddressed, prepaid envelope; and\n\n (b) posting the data drive within 24 hours of returning to Port.\n\n (5) A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must install a new or replacement data drive by following the instructions issued by AFMA, the Contractor, or the manufacturer of the e-monitoring system.\n\n (6) For the purpose of s40A(3) of the Act, the obligations prescribed in clause 6 commence on the day the e-monitoring system is first installed.\n\n8.      Requirement to provide certain information to AFMA\n\n (1) AFMA may require a concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) to give a statement to AFMA setting out:\n\n (a) the facts leading to any loss, theft or damage to the e-monitoring system or e-monitoring data;\n\n (b) the time, date and location where the person posted or handed over the e-monitoring system or data drive to another person (including a postal worker or courier);\n\n (c) the names and addresses of any person employed or engaged by the person who had any interactions with the e-monitoring system (whether while operating, off or in sleep or idle mode) or data drive;\n\n (d) the reasons why the e-monitoring system was not operational at a given time; or\n\n (e) any other matter relating to the circumstances, time, place, or manner of installation, carriage, use, handling, maintenance or monitoring of use of the e-monitoring system or data drive.\n\n (2) A concession holder (or person acting on behalf of a concession holder) must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a request to give a statement requested under clause 8(1) to AFMA within a reasonable time period.\n\n\n\n\n \n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nFisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2020.\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Direction maintains the same scope as its predecessor (the 2020 Direction it repeals). It is a targeted, single-purpose instrument focused exclusively on e-monitoring requirements for longline fishing in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery. There is no evidence of scope creep; the provisions align with the original intent of implementing electronic surveillance as a compliance mechanism under section 40A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: only 8 operative clauses plus a repeal schedule","Minimal defined terms: only 4 specific definitions (Act, Contractor, Data drive, E-monitoring system), with others incorporated by reference from parent legislation","Simple conditional structure: primarily 'must' obligations with limited exceptions (only one explicit exception in clause 6(4) allowing power-off in port with VMS)","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing beyond standard references to the parent Act and Management Plan","Straightforward temporal requirements (3-month compliance window, 24-hour posting deadline, 14-day inactivity threshold)","Single regulatory purpose: all provisions serve the one goal of implementing e-monitoring for longline vessels"],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction requires commercial longline fishers in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery to have AFMA‑installed or approved electronic monitoring (cameras, sensors, recorders) operating on their vessels so AFMA can remotely review fishing activity. It affects concession holders and anyone acting for them (crew, skippers), imposing ongoing operation, upkeep, data return and reporting duties. The rule strengthens compliance and conservation oversight, updating the 2020 electronic‑monitoring framework."},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument expressly repeals the Fisheries Management (E-monitoring Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery) Direction 2020 (Schedule 1) and reissues e‑monitoring requirements for longline boats in the WTBF. The text replaces the prior Direction but does not, on its face, state substantial expansion or contraction of geographic or subject scope beyond the continued requirement for e‑monitoring of longline fishing in the WTBF; assessing substantive scope changes requires direct comparison with the 2020 instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple operational duties on concession holders: installation, continuous operation, testing, cleaning, lighting and unobstructed camera views (cl.6(3); cl.7(1)(a),(c),(d)).","Two supply/compliance pathways: AFMA/Contractor supply and install, or equipment must comply with certificate standards (cl.6(1)(a)–(b)) — creates choice and verification tasks for operators.","Tight logistical deadlines and chain-of-custody rules for data drives: exchange triggers, packaging, and posting within 24 hours of return to port (cl.7(3)–(4)).","Fault reporting and repair obligations that require prompt contact with AFMA/Contractor and making the boat available for repairs (cl.7(2)).","Information and disclosure obligations: AFMA may require detailed statements about loss, theft, damage, handling, and reasons for non‑operation; failure to comply without reasonable excuse is prohibited (cl.8(1)–(2)).","Interconnection with other legal instruments and definitions (the Act, WTBF Management Plan, and certificates) increases interpretive complexity (Definitions; cl.4).","Operational exceptions and interactions with Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) allow powering off in port if VMS is operational (cl.6(4)), adding conditional rules operators must track.","Delegated implementation and discretion through AFMA and its Contractor: AFMA issues instructions, approves equipment and handles data drives, concentrating administrative control (cl.4 definition of Contractor; cl.7(5); cl.8).","Compliance burden spans technical, administrative and evidentiary tasks (equipment upkeep, data handling, reporting), with practical impacts on trip planning and downtime (cls.6–8)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction requires concession holders using longline gear in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery to have an AFMA‑approved e‑monitoring system installed and operating (cl.6). Systems may be supplied and installed by AFMA or its Contractor, or must meet certificate standards. Operators must keep systems working, perform specified tests and maintenance, promptly exchange and return data drives (usually within 24 hours of returning to port) and provide statements to AFMA about loss, faults or non‑operation on request (cls.6–8)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021","history":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-e-monitoring-western-tuna-and-billfish-fishery-direction-2021/documents"}}