{"id":"F2021L00250","name":"Fisheries Management (Northern Prawn Fishery Seasonal Closures) Direction 2021","slug":"fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":101357,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2021L00250-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\nThis instrument is the Fisheries Management (Northern Prawn Fishery Seasonal Closures) Direction 2021.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\nThis instrument is made under section 41A of the Act.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 4 Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the definitions section of the Act, including the following:\n\n(a) boat\n\n(b) fish\n\n(c) fishery\n\n(d) fishing\n\n(e) fishing concession\n\n(f) holder\n\n(g) statutory fishing right.\n\nA number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the interpretation section of the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995, including the following:\n\n(a) acting for\n\n(b) Northern Prawn Fishery\n\n(c) Northern Prawn Fishery area.\n\nIn this instrument:\n\nAct means the Fisheries Management Act 1991;\n\nboat means a boat that is nominated on statutory fishing rights for the Northern Prawn Fishery, and includes carrier boats and fishing boats;\n\ngear trial means a test, or a series of short tests, of equipment on or towed by a boat and carried out under the following conditions:\n\n(a) the test is conducted in such a way as to avoid the capture of fish, primarily by keeping the cod end of nets fully open at all times; and\n\n(b) fish that are captured in the equipment during the test are returned to the sea as soon as practicable after it becomes apparent that the fish have been captured.\n\nequipment means equipment for fishing;\n\nUTC means Coordinated Universal Time, the time scale based on the second (SI), maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. For the purposes of this Direction UTC is equivalent to mean solar time at the prime meridian (0 degrees longitude), formerly expressed in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).\n\nThe origin of geographical coordinates used in this Direction is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Schedules","content":"#### 5 Schedules\n\nSchedules 1 to 21 to this instrument have effect according to their terms.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"To whom this applies","content":"#### 6 To whom this applies\n\nThis Direction applies to a holder of a fishing concession in the Northern Prawn Fishery and to a person acting on behalf of the holder.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on fishing (prior to season closures)","content":"#### 7 Prohibition on fishing (prior to season closures)\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 1 during the period commencing at 0000 hours UTC on 1 January and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 31 March each year.\n2.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 2 during the period commencing at 0000 hours UTC on 1 January and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 31 March each year.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on fishing (season one closures)","content":"#### 8 Prohibition on fishing (season one closures)\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedules 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC 31 March and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June each year.\n\nGulf of Carpentaria\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 9 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC 31 March and ending at 2200 hours UTC 30 April each year.\n\nGulf of Carpentaria - West\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 10 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC 30 April and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June each year.\n\nNight time fishing ban for Sweers Island - Mornington Island\n\n1.  subject to subsection 8(5) fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 11 between the hours of 1100 UTC and 1900 UTC each day, during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC 21 April and ending at 2200 hours UTC 15 June each year.\n\nFishing ban for Sweers Island – Mornington Island\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 11 during the period commencing at 0800 hours UTC on 26 May 2025 and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June 2025.\n\nEarly closure for banana fishery west of 138 degrees\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in waters west of the meridian of Longitude 138° E during the period commencing at 0800 hours UTC on 26 May 2025 and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June 2025.\n\nEarly closure for banana fishery east of 138 degrees\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in waters east of the meridian of Longitude 138° E between the hours of 2200 hours UTC and 0800 hours UTC each day, during the period commencing at 0800 hours UTC on 26 May 2025 and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June 2025.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on fishing (mid-season closures)","content":"#### 9 Prohibition on fishing (mid-season closures)\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 12 during the period commencing at 0200 hours UTC 15 June and ending at 0830 hours UTC 1 August each year.\n2.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 13 during the period commencing at 0230 hours UTC 15 June and ending at 0900 hours UTC 1 August each year.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on fishing (season two closures)","content":"#### 10 Prohibition on fishing (season two closures)\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 14 and Schedule 15 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC on 30 September and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 30 November each year.\n2.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 16, Schedule 17 and Schedule 18 during the period commencing at 2230 hours UTC on 30 September and ending at 2230 hours UTC on 30 November each year.\n\nDaylight fishing ban for Northern Territory waters\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 19 and Schedule 20 which is west of the meridian of Longitude 138° E, between the hours of 2230 UTC and 0830 UTC each day, during the period commencing at 0830 hours UTC on 1 August and ending at 2230 hours UTC on 30 November each year.\n\nDaylight fishing ban for Queensland waters\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 20 which is east of the meridian of Longitude 138° E, between the hours of 2200 UTC and 0800 UTC each day, during the period commencing at 0800 hours UTC on 1 August and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 30 November each year.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on fishing (end of season closures)","content":"#### 11 Prohibition on fishing (end of season closures)\n\n1.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 1 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC on 30 November and ending at 2359 hours UTC on 31 December each year.\n2.  Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area of the fishery defined in Schedule 2 during the period commencing at 2230 hours UTC on 30 November and ending at 2359 hours UTC on 31 December each year.\n3.  Fishing is not to be engaged in the fishery defined in Schedule 1 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC on 19 November 2025 and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 30 November 2025.\n4.  Fishing is not to be engaged in the fishery defined in Schedule 2 during the period commencing at 2200 hours UTC on 19 November 2025 and ending at 2230 hours UTC on 30 November 2025.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Exemption to the prohibitions","content":"#### 12 Exemption to the prohibitions\n\nThe prohibition in subsections 7(1) through to 10(2) and subsections 11(1) and 11(2) does not apply to a person who is conducting a gear trial in an area of the fishery defined in Schedule 21.\n\n  \n\nSchedule 1 – Prior to and End of Season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 138° East;\n2.  from there north along meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at the mean low water;\n4.  from there generally southerly and then generally westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 2 – Prior to and End of Season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the north-western coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery;\n2.  from there running north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13° 28' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South to the meridian of Longitude 127° 42' East;\n4.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12° 45' South, Longitude 129° 40' East;\n5.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South;\n6.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East;\n7.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 00' South;\n8.  from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 25' South, Longitude 134° 15' East;\n9.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 25' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 135° 35' East;\n10.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 05' South, Longitude 136° 10' East;\n11.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10° 30' South, Longitude 136° 40' East;\n12.  from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n13.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n14.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 29.17' South, Longitude 138° East;\n15.  from there south along meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the mainland of Australian at mean low water;\n16.  from there generally westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 3 – Joseph Bonaparte Gulf\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery, in the vicinity of Cape Londonderry;\n2.  from there north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13° 00' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13° 00' South to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n4.  from there generally south-westerly, southerly, westerly and north-westerly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 4 – North West of Groote Eylandt\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 13° 38' South, Longitude 136° 57' East;\n2.  from there north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13º 15' South, Longitude 136° 27.6' East, in the vicinity of Cape Arrowsmith;\n3.  from there south-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13º 19.57' South, Longitude 136º 19.97' East, in the vicinity of Cape Shield;\n4.  from there south along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13º 50.32' South, Longitude 136º 20.03' East, in the vicinity of the western most point of Connexion Island;\n5.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 14° 30' South, Longitude 136° 00' East;\n6.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 136° 19.5' East;\n7.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 136° 19.5' East to its intersection with the south west coastline of Groote Eylandt at mean low water, in the vicinity of Tasman Point;\n8.  from there generally north east along the north western coastline of Groote Eylandt at mean low water to the most northerly point on Scott Point, in the vicinity of the point Latitude 13° 44.68' South, Longitude 136° 50.4' East;\n9.  from there northeast along the geodesic to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 5 – South West Corner\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point Latitude 14° 30' South, Longitude 136° East on the Cape Shield to West Island permanent closure;\n2.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 14° 36.5' South, Longitude 135° 45' East;\n3.  from there south along the meridian on Longitude 135° 45' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 14° 55' South;\n4.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 28' South, Longitude 136° 45' East;\n5.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 15° 28' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 137° 00' East;\n6.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 15° 37.5' South, Longitude 137° 04.2' East;\n7.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 43' South, Longitude 137° 06' East, in the vicinity of Steepcut Rock;\n8.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 00' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n9.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 06' South, Longitude 137° 45' East;\n10.  from there south along the meridian Longitude 137° 45' East to its intersection with the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n11.  from there generally north westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australian at mean low water to its intersection with the Cape Shield to West Island Permanent Closure boundary, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 15° 39.85' South, Longitude 136° 28' East;\n12.  from there generally north east, north west, north east and east along the off shore boundary of the Cape Shield to West Island Permanent Closure to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 6 – Fog Bay / Bynoe Harbour\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the northern most point of Charles Point at mean low water, in the vicinity of point of Latitude 12° 22.87' South , Longitude 130° 37.15' East;\n2.  from there north westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12° 22' South, Longitude 130° 17' East;\n3.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12° 27' South, Longitude 130° 15' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 130° 15' East to the point of Latitude 12° 32' South, Longitude 130° 15' East;\n5.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 12° 42' South, 130° 16' East;\n6.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 12° 42' South to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n7.  from there generally north easterly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 7 – Lingi Point\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the meridian of Longitude 132 00' East with the coastline of the mainland of Australian at mean low water, in the vicinity of Vashion Head;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 132 00' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11 05' South;\n3.  from there north westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10 59’ South, 131 53.7' East;\n4.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to its intersection with the point of Latitude 11 08' South, Longitude 131 45' East;\n5.  from there southerly along the geodesic to the intersection of the meridian of Longitude 131 46' East with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11 18.13' South, Longitude 131 46' East near Cape Don;\n6.  from there generally north easterly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 8 – Goulburn Islands\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the meridian on Longitude 133° 30' East with the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low-water;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 133° 30' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 11° 20' South;\n3.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 11º 20’ South to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of De Courcy Head;\n4.  from there generally south easterly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 9 – Gulf of Carpentaria\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South with the coastline of the mainland Australia on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria at mean low water;\n2.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 136° 12.85' East;\n3.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 30' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n4.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° South, Longitude 138° East;\n5.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 15' South, Longitude 139° East;\n6.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 16° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 140° East;\n7.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n8.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South to its intersection of mainland Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Yirrkala;\n9.  from there generally south westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australian at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 10 – Gulf of Carpentaria - West\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South with the coastline of the mainland Australia on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria at mean low water;\n2.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 136° 12.85' East;\n3.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 30' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n4.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° South, Longitude 138° East;\n5.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n6.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South to its intersection of mainland Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Yirrkala;\n7.  from there generally south westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australian at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 11 – Sweers Island - Mornington Island\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 17 00' South, Longitude 139 36.07'' East;\n2.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16 31.92' South, Longitude 139 42.75' East, in the vicinity of Cape Van Diemen on Mornington Island;\n3.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16 42.83' South, Longitude 139 49.5' East, in the vicinity of the south western side of South Bountiful Island;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 139 49.5' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17 00' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 17 00' South to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 12 – Mid-season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 138° East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at the mean low water;\n4.  from there generally southerly and then generally westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 13 – Mid-season Closure\n\nPart 1\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the north-western coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery;\n2.  from there north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 127º 00' East;\n4.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13° 21.4' South, Longitude 129° 30.9' East;\n5.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13° 45' South, Longitude 129° 12' East;\n6.  from there west along the parallel of latitude 13° 45' South to the intersection with the mainland of Australia at mean low water mark;\n7.  from there generally south easterly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nPart 2\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the parallel of Latitude 13° 10' South, in the vicinity of Channel Point;\n2.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 13° 10' South to the intersection with the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East;\n3.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South;\n4.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East;\n5.  from there south along meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 00' South;\n6.  from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 25' South, Longitude 134° 15' East;\n7.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 25' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 135° 35' East;\n8.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 05' South, Longitude 136° 10' East;\n9.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10° 30' South, Longitude 136° 40' East;\n10.  from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n11.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n12.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of intersection of the parallel of Latitude 11° 29.17' South with the meridian of Longitude 138° East;\n13.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n14.  from there generally north westerly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 14 – Tarrant Point - Mornington Island - Bynoe River\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Tarrant Point, with the meridian of Longitude 139° 25' East;\n2.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 17° 05.65' South, Longitude 139° 34.72' East, in the vicinity of Raft Point on Bentinck Island;\n3.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 31.92' South, Longitude 139° 42.75' East, in the vicinity of Cape Van Diemen on Mornington Island;\n4.  from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 29.5' South, Longitude 139° 49' East, in the vicinity of Pisonia Island;\n5.  from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the intersection of the meridian of Longitude 140° 43' East with the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Bynoe Inlet;\n6.  from there generally westerly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 15 – Weipa\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with parallel of Latitude 12 South;\n2.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 12 South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 141 46' East;\n3.  from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 34' South, Longitude 141 30.5' East;\n4.  from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 59.6' South, Longitude 141 31.5' East;\n5.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 141 31.5' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13 15' South;\n6.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13 15' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n7.  from there generally north along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 16 – Sir Edward Pellew Group\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 137° 10' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 137° 10' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 38.3' South;\n3.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 15° 38.3' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 136° 57' East;\n4.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 136° 57' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 15' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 15° 15' South to its intersection with the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n6.  from there generally south-easterly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 17 – North East Vanderlin Island 83 Patch\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South and meridian of Longitude 137° 20' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 137° 20' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 10' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 15° 10' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 137° 40' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 18 – Cambridge Gulf\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 128° 45' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 128° 45' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14° 06' East;\n3.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 14° 06' East to its intersection with meridian of Longitude 128° 06.5' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 128° 06.5' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14° 09' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 14° 09' South to its intersection with meridian of Longitude 127° 46.5' East;\n6.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 127° 46.5' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14° 06' East;\n7.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 14° 06' East to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n8.  from there generally south easterly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 19 – Goulburn Islands\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 132° 57.7' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 132° 57.7' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 10.5' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 10.5' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 31' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 133° 31' East to the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n5.  from there generally northwest along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 20 – Gulf of Carpentaria\n\nThe area bounded at the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 135° 56.78' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 135° 56.78' East to its intersection with the southern coastline of Alger Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 54.3' South, Longitude 135° 56.77' East;\n3.  from there north-easterly along the eastern coastline of Alger Island at mean low water to the northern most point of Alger Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 50.9' South, Longitude 135° 59' East;\n4.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the southernmost coastline of Warnawi Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 48.77' South, Longitude 136° 01.7' East;\n5.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the southernmost coastline of Jirrgari Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 43.53' South, Longitude 136° 07.85' East;\n6.  from there north-easterly along the eastern coastline of Jirrgari Island at mean low water to the easternmost point of Jirrgari Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 41.92' South, Longitude 136° 09.32' East;\n7.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the most south westerly point of Raragala Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 41.6' South, Longitude 136° 09.55' East;\n8.  from there north-easterly along the eastern coastline of Raragala Island at mean low water to the southern end of Gugari Rip (Hole in the Wall) at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 34.07' South, Longitude 136° 22.33' East;\n9.  from there north easterly along the geodesic, across the southern end of Gugari Rip (Hope in the Wall), to the southernmost point of Guluwaru Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 34' South, Longitude 136° 22.45' East;\n10.  from there north-easterly along the eastern coastline of Guluwuru Island at mean low water to the northern most point of Guluwuru Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 28' South, Longitude 136° 28.32' East;\n11.  from there north easterly along the geodesic, across the southern end of Cumberland Straight, to the southernmost point of Marchinbar Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 27.68' South, Longitude 136° 29.6' East;\n12.  from there north-easterly along the eastern coastline of Marchinbar Island at mean low water to the northern most point of Marchinbar Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 01.1' South, Longitude 136° 45.58' East;\n13.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the easternmost point of Rimbija Island at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 0.33' South, Longitude 136° 45.77' East;\n14.  from there north-westerly along the coastline of Rimbija Island at mean low water to the northern most point of Cape Wessel at mean low water, in the vicinity of the point of Latitude 11° 00.05' South, Longitude 136° 45.42' East;\n15.  from there easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11°00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n16.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n17.  from there north easterly along the geodesic to the intersection of the parallel of Latitude 11° 00' South with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Crab Island, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria;\n18.  from there generally southerly and north-westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSchedule 21 – Gear trial areas\n\nPart A - Karumba southern gear trial area\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 17° 20' South, Longitude 140° 35' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° 35' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17° 15' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 17° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 140° 45' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 140° 45' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17° 20' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 17° 20' South to the point of commencement.\n\nPart B - Karumba northern gear trial area\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 16° 35' South, Longitude 140° 25' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° 25' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 16° 30' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 16° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 140° 30' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 140° 30' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 16° 35' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 16° 35' South to the point of commencement.\n\nPart C - Darwin gear trial area\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 12° 20' South and Longitude 130° 36' East;\n2.  from there north along the meridian of Longitude 130° 36' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n3.  from there east along the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 130° 41' East;\n4.  from there south along the meridian of Longitude 130° 41' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 20' South;\n5.  from there west along the parallel of Latitude 12° 20' South to the point of commencement.\n\nPart D - West of Cape York gear trial area\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n1.  commencing at the point of Latitude 11°59' South and Longitude 141°32' East;\n2.  then running north along that meridian of Longitude 141°32' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11°54' South;\n3.  then east along that parallel to its intersection with the meridian Longitude 141°37' East;\n4.  then south along that meridian to the intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11°59' South, and\n5.  then west along that parallel to the point of commencement.","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing seasonal spatial and temporal closures for the Northern Prawn Fishery. While the instrument contains extensive geographic detail (21 schedules), this precision is necessary for the core function of defining exactly where boats cannot fish. There is no evidence of scope creep into unrelated regulatory areas."},"complexity_factors":["21 separate schedules defining spatial boundaries using precise geodetic coordinates (latitude/longitude to minutes and seconds)","Multiple overlapping temporal restrictions with different start/end times (varying by hours and minutes in UTC)","Complex spatial logic including 'east of 138°E' vs 'west of 138°E' distinctions for different rules","Nested conditional timing: some closures apply 'each year' while others specify exact dates in 2025 only","Daylight vs night-time restrictions that vary by jurisdiction (NT vs Queensland) and by longitude","Cross-referencing to external definitions in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995","Geodetic terminology requiring specialist knowledge (geodesics, meridians, parallels, mean low water, WGS84 datum)","Single exemption clause (section 12) that applies selectively to only some of the 11 prohibition sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction sets a seasonal calendar of closures in the Northern Prawn Fishery, specifying when and where commercial trawling is banned to protect prawns during vulnerable life stages. It applies to concession (licence) holders and anyone acting for them (crew, skippers).\n\nLimited gear trials are permitted in four designated areas if nets stay open and bycatch is returned. The rules aim to prevent overfishing, protect breeding stocks, and sustain a commercially important Commonwealth fishery."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Direction prescribes seasonal and daily closures and a narrow gear-trial exemption for the Northern Prawn Fishery; it applies to fishing concession holders and their agents (s.6) and is made under section 41A of the Act (s.3). The instrument itself does not state that it expands or narrows the legal classes of persons or the fishery boundaries beyond those specified in the Schedules, nor does it alter definitions in the Act or Management Plan (s.4; s.5)."},"complexity_factors":["Number and granularity of closed areas: 21 separate Schedules (s.5; Schedules 1–21) with many small, precisely bounded polygons increases navigational and compliance complexity.","Multiple temporal regimes: different closure periods (prior, season one, mid-season, season two, end-of-season) with some bespoke dates (e.g. 26 May 2025) and daily time windows (ss.7–11).","UTC time standard: closures specified in UTC rather than local time (definition of UTC, s.4), requiring operators to convert and track time accurately.","Coordinate precision and geodesics: use of WGS84 origin and geodesic descriptions (s.4; Schedules) requires precise position-fixing and charting capability.","Exemption narrowly defined: gear trial exemption depends on meeting the 'gear trial' definition (s.4) and being in Schedule 21 areas (s.12), but the instrument does not set an administrative permit or approval process for trials.","Who bears costs: concession holders and persons acting for them must change operational schedules, reroute or idle vessels, and maintain compliance records (s.6; ss.7–11).","Enforceability and monitoring burden: prohibitions tied to detailed coordinates and time windows imply a need for surveillance (ss.7–11; Schedules), increasing enforcement and operator compliance costs.","Cross-references to external instruments: many terms are defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995 (s.4), creating interpretive dependence on those instruments for scope and meaning.","Overlapping and region-specific rules: daily bans and season windows differ by meridian (Longitude 138° E) and by Schedule, raising risk of overlap or edge-case ambiguity (ss.8,10; Schedules).","Limited administrative discretion within text: instrument prescribes fixed closures under authority (s.3) rather than setting criteria for ad hoc variation, concentrating decision power in the statutory mechanism used to make the Direction (s.3)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction sets precise seasonal and daily no-fishing zones in the Northern Prawn Fishery by listing geographic areas (Schedules 1–21) and exact UTC start/stop times for closures. It applies to holders of Northern Prawn Fishery fishing concessions and persons acting for them, and exempts limited gear trials conducted under the instrument's conditions (s.12; Schedule 21). It matters because it changes when and where concession holders may legally fish, creating timing, navigation and compliance constraints tied to coordinates and UTC time."},"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-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021","history":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fisheries-management-northern-prawn-fishery-seasonal-closures-direction-2021/documents"}}