{"id":"F2015L00329","name":"Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171","slug":"northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":92848,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L00329-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.png)\n\nNorthern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171\n\nmade under subsection 41A(2) of the\n\nFisheries Management Act 1991\n\nCompilation No. 6\n\nCompilation date: 19 November 2020\n\nIncludes amendments up to: F2020L01435\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 19/11/2020 (the compilation date).\n\nThe notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.\n\nUncommenced amendments\n\nThe effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.\n\nApplication, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments\n\nIf the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nModifications\n\nIf the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.\n\nSelf‑repealing provisions\n\nIf a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nDIRECTION NOT TO ENGAGE IN FISHING\n\nFisheries Management Act 1991\n\nSubsection 41A(2)\n\nNORTHERN PRAWN FISHERY (Closures) DIRECTION No. 171\n\nI, James Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, as delegate under delegation No. 6 of 2013 made on 16th September 2013 from the Commission, make the following Direction under subsection 41A(2) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.\n\nDated: 13 March 2015\n\nJames Findlay\n\nChief Executive Officer\n\nAustralian Fisheries Management Authority\n\nCitation\n\n1. This Direction may be cited as the Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171.\n\nCessation\n\n3. This Direction ceases as if it was revoked at 2200 hours UTC on 31 December 2020 unless earlier revoked.\n\nInterpretation\n\n4.1 In this Direction:\n\n\"boat\" means a boat that is nominated on statutory fishing rights for the Northern Prawn Fishery;\n\n\"gear 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\n\"equipment\" means equipment for fishing;\n\n\"UTC\" 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\n4.2 Terms used in this Direction that are defined for the purposes of the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995 have the same meanings in this Direction as they have in that Plan.\n\nNotes: 1. Terms defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 have the same meanings in this Direction.\n\n4.3 This Direction is to be read consistently with other Directions made under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.\n\n4.4 The origin of geographical coordinates used in this Direction is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).\n\nTo whom this Direction applies\n\n5. This Direction applies to a holder of a fishing concession in the Northern Prawn Fishery and to a person acting on behalf of the holder.\n\nDirection not to engage in fishing (prior to season closures)\n\n6.1 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.\n\n6.2 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.\n\nDirection not to engage in fishing (season one closures)\n\n7.1 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\n7.2 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\n7.3 Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 10 during the period commencing at 0200 hours UTC 1 May and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June each year.\n\nNight time fishing ban for Sweers Island - Mornington Island\n\n7.4 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\n7.5 Fishing is not to be engaged in in the area defined in Schedule 11 during the period commencing at 0800 hours UTC on 10 June 2020 and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June 2020.\n\nEarly closure for banana fishery west of 138 degrees\n\n7.6 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 10 June 2020 and ending at 0230 hours UTC 15 June 2020.\n\nEarly closure for banana fishery east of 138 degrees\n\n7.7 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 10 June 2020 and ending at 0200 hours UTC 15 June 2020.\n\nDirection not to engage in fishing (mid-season closures)\n\n8.1 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.\n\n8.2 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.\n\nDirection not to engage in fishing (season two closures)\n\n9.1 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.\n\n9.2 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\n9.3 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\n9.4 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.\n\nDirection not to engage in fishing (end of season closures)\n\n10.1 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.\n\n10.2 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.\n\n10.3 Fishing is not to be engaged in in the fishery during the period commencing at 2230 hours UTC on 20 November 2020 and ending at 2200 hours UTC on 30 November 2020.\n\nExemption to the prohibitions\n\n11\\. The prohibition in clauses 6.1 through to 9.2 and clauses 10.1 and 10.2 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\n\nPrior to and End of Season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the intersection of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 138 East;\n\n(b) from there north along meridian of Longitude 138 East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11 47' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11 47' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at the mean low water;\n\n(d) 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\n\nPrior to and End of Season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there running north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13° 28' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South to the meridian of Longitude 127° 42' East;\n\n(d) from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12° 45' South, Longitude 129° 40' East;\n\n(e) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South;\n\n(f) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East;\n\n(g) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 00' South;\n\n(h) from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 25' South, Longitude 134° 15' East;\n\n(i) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 25' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 135° 35' East;\n\n(j) from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 05' South, Longitude 136° 10' East;\n\n(k) from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10° 30' South, Longitude 136° 40' East;\n\n(l) from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n\n(m) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n\n(n) from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 29.17' South, Longitude 138 East;\n\n(o) from there south along meridian of Longitude 138 East to its intersection with the mainland of Australian at mean low water;\n\n(p) from there generally westerly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 3\n\n(Joseph Bonaparte Gulf)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13 42' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13 42' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 127 24' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 127 24' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13 54.5' South;\n\n(e) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13 54.5' South to its intersection with the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water, in the vicinity of Cape Dombey;\n\n(f) from there generally southerly, westerly and north-westerly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 4\n\n(North West of Groote Eylandt)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 13 38' South, Longitude 136 57' East;\n\n(b) 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;\n\n(c) 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;\n\n(d) 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;\n\n(e) from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 14 30' South, Longitude 136 00' East;\n\n(f) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 136 19.5' East;\n\n(g) 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;\n\n(h) 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;\n\n(i) from there northeast along the geodesic to the point of commencement;\n\nSCHEDULE 5\n\n(South West Corner)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the point Latitude 14° 30' South, Longitude 136° East on the Cape Shield to West Island permanent closure;\n\n(b) from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 14° 36.5' South, Longitude 135° 45' East;\n\n(c) from there south along the meridian on Longitude 135° 45' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 14° 55' South;\n\n(d) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 28' South, Longitude 136° 45' East;\n\n(e) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 15° 28' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 137° 00' East;\n\n(f) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 15° 37.5' South, Longitude 137° 04.2' East;\n\n(g) 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;\n\n(h) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 00' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n\n(i) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 06' South, Longitude 137° 45' East;\n\n(j) 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;\n\n(k) 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;\n\n(l) 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\n\n(Fog Bay / Bynoe Harbour)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 22' South, Longitude 130 17' East;\n\n(c) from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 27' South, Longitude 130 15' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 130 15' East to the point of Latitude 12 32' South, Longitude 130 15' East;\n\n(e) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point Latitude 12 42' South, 130 16' East;\n\n(f) 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;\n\n(g) from there generally north easterly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 7\n\n(Lingi Point)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 132 00' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11 05' South;\n\n(c) from there north westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10 59’ South, 131 53.7' East;\n\n(d) from there south westerly along the geodesic to its intersection with the point of Latitude 11 08' South, Longitude 131 45' East;\n\n(e) 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;\n\n(f) from there generally north easterly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 8\n\n(Goulburn Islands)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 133° 30' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 11° 20' South;\n\n(c) 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;\n\n(d) 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\n\n(Gulf of Carpentaria)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 136° 12.85' East;\n\n(c) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 30' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n\n(d) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° South, Longitude 138° East;\n\n(e) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° 15' South, Longitude 139° East;\n\n(f) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 16° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 140° East;\n\n(g) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n\n(h) 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;\n\n(i) 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\n\n(Gulf of Carpentaria - West)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 14° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of the Longitude 136° 12.85' East;\n\n(c) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15° 30' South, Longitude 137° 30' East;\n\n(d) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16° South, Longitude 138° East;\n\n(e) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 138° East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n\n(f) 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;\n\n(g) 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\n\n(Sweers Island - Mornington Island)\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 17 00' South, Longitude 139 36.07'' East;\n\n(b) 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;\n\n(c) 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;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 139 49.5' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17 00' South;\n\n(e) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 17 00' South to the point of commencement;\n\nSCHEDULE 12\n\nMid-Season Closure\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the intersection of the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with the meridian of Longitude 138 East;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 138 East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11 47' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11 47' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at the mean low water;\n\n(d) 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\n\nMid-Season Closure – Part 1\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the western boundary of the Northern Prawn Fishery to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13º 28' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 127º 00' East;\n\n(d) from there north easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13° 21.4' South, Longitude 129° 30.9' East;\n\n(e) from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13° 45' South, Longitude 129° 12' East;\n\n(f) from there west along the parallel of latitude 13° 45' South to the intersection with the mainland of Australia at mean low water mark;\n\n(g) from there generally south easterly along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nMid-Season Closure – Part 2\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 13° 10' South to the intersection with the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East;\n\n(c) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 129° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South;\n\n(d) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 10° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East;\n\n(e) from there south along meridian of Longitude 133° 16' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 00' South;\n\n(f) from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 25' South, Longitude 134° 15' East;\n\n(g) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 25' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 135° 35' East;\n\n(h) from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 05' South, Longitude 136° 10' East;\n\n(i) from there north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10° 30' South, Longitude 136° 40' East;\n\n(j) from there south-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11° 00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n\n(k) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n\n(l) 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;\n\n(m) 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;\n\n(n) from there generally north westerly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 14\n\nTarrant Point - Mornington Island - Bynoe River\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) 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;\n\n(c) 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;\n\n(d) 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;\n\n(e) 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;\n\n(f) from there generally westerly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement;\n\nSCHEDULE 15\n\nWeipa\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the intersection of the mainland of Australia at mean low water with parallel of Latitude 12 South;\n\n(b) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 12 South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 141 46' East;\n\n(c) from there south westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 34' South, Longitude 141 30.5' East;\n\n(d) from there south easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 12 59.6' South, Longitude 141 31.5' East;\n\n(e) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 141 31.5' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 13 15' South;\n\n(f) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 13 15' South to its intersection with the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n\n(g) from there generally north along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 16\n\nSir Edward Pellew Group\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 137° 10' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 38.3' South;\n\n(c) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 15° 38.3' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 136° 57' East;\n\n(d) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 136° 57' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 15' South;\n\n(e) 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;\n\n(f) from there generally south-easterly along that coastline at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 17\n\nNorth East Vanderlin Island 83 Patch\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the intersection of parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South and meridian of Longitude 137° 20' East;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 137° 20' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 10' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 15° 10' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 137° 40' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 40' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South;\n\n(e) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 15° 30' South to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 18\n\nCambridge Gulf\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 128 45' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14 06' East;\n\n(c) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 14 06' East to its intersection with meridian of Longitude 128 06.5' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 128 06.5' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14 09' South;\n\n(e) from there west along the parallel of Latitude 14 09' South to its intersection with meridian of Longitude 127 46.5' East;\n\n(f) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 127 46.5' East to its intersection with parallel of Latitude 14 06' East;\n\n(g) 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;\n\n(h) from there generally south easterly along the coastline of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 19\n\nGoulburn Islands\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 132° 57.7' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 10.5' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 11° 10.5' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 133° 31' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 133° 31' East to the northern coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water;\n\n(e) from there generally northwest along the coastline of the mainland of Australia at mean low water to the point of commencement.\n\nSCHEDULE 20\n\nGulf of Carpentaria\n\nThe area bounded at the line:\n\n(a) 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;\n\n(b) 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;\n\n(c) 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;\n\n(d) 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;\n\n(e) 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;\n\n(f) 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;\n\n(g) 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;\n\n(h) 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;\n\n(i) 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;\n\n(j) 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;\n\n(k) 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;\n\n(l) 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;\n\n(m) 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;\n\n(n) 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;\n\n(o) from there easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11°00' South, Longitude 137° 05' East;\n\n(p) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 137° 05' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11° 47' South;\n\n(q) 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;\n\n(r) 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\n\nPart A - Karumba southern gear trial area\n\nThe area bounded by the line:\n\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 17° 20' South, Longitude 140° 35' East;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° 35' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17° 15' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 17° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 140° 45' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 140° 45' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 17° 20' South;\n\n(e) 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\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 16° 35' South, Longitude 140° 25' East;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 140° 25' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 16° 30' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 16° 30' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 140° 30' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 140° 30' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 16° 35' South;\n\n(e) 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\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 12 20' South and Longitude 130 36' East;\n\n(b) from there north along the meridian of Longitude 130 36' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South;\n\n(c) from there east along the parallel of Latitude 12° 15' South to its intersection with the meridian of Longitude 130 41' East;\n\n(d) from there south along the meridian of Longitude 130 41' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 12° 20' South;\n\n(e) 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\n(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 1159' South and Longitude 14132' East;\n\n(b) then running north along that meridian of Longitude 14132' East to its intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11°54' South;\n\n(c) then east along that parallel to its intersection with the meridian Longitude 14137' East;\n\n(d) then south along that meridian to the intersection with the parallel of Latitude 11°59' South, and\n\n(e) then west along that parallel to the point of commencement.\n\n> Note: Endnotes\n\n> Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nThe endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.\n\nThe following endnotes are included in every compilation:\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\nAbbreviation key—Endnote 2\n\nThe abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.\n\nLegislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4\n\nAmending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.\n\nThe legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.\n\nThe amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.\n\nMisdescribed amendments\n\nA misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.\n\n> Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n| ad = added or inserted                         | o = order(s)                        |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |\n| am = amended                                   | Ord = Ordinance                     |\n| amdt = amendment                               | orig = original                     |\n| c = clause(s)                                  | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)  |\n| C[x] = Compilation No. x                       | /sub‑subparagraph(s)                |\n| Ch = Chapter(s)                                | pres = present                      |\n| def = definition(s)                            | prev = previous                     |\n| Dict = Dictionary                              | (prev…) = previously                |\n| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament          | Pt = Part(s)                        |\n| Div = Division(s)                              | r = regulation(s)/rule(s)           |\n| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | reloc = relocated                   |\n| effect                                         | renum = renumbered                  |\n| F = Federal Register of Legislation            | rep = repealed                      |\n| gaz = gazette                                  | rs = repealed and substituted       |\n| LA = Legislation Act 2003                      | s = section(s)/subsection(s)        |\n| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003         | Sch = Schedule(s)                   |\n| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given     | Sdiv = Subdivision(s)               |\n| effect                                         | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |\n| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment       | SR = Statutory Rules                |\n| cannot be given effect                         | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)             |\n| mod = modified/modification                    | SubPt = Subpart(s)                  |\n| No. = Number(s)                                | underlining = whole or part not     |\n|                                                | commenced or to be commenced        |\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name                                                             | FRLI registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 171              | F2015L00329       | 21/03/2015   |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures Variation) Direction No.1 2016  | F2016L01020       | 09/06/2016   |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery (Early Closure) Direction No. 173         | F2016L01765       | 1711/2016    |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No. 175              | F2017L01453       | 08/11/2017   |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment (Early Closure) Direction 2018  | F2018L01557       | 09/11/2018   |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment (Closures) Direction No. 1 2020 | F2020L00678       | 10/06/2020   |                                                 |\n| Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment (Closures) Direction No. 2 2020 | F2020L01435       | 19/11/2020   |                                                 |\n\n> Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history\n\n| Provision affected | How affected                                                 |\n| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| c. 2               | rep. s 48D LA                                                |\n| c. 7.5             | ad. F2016L01020am F2020L00678                                |\n| c. 7.6             | ad. F2016L01020am F2020L00678                                |\n| c. 7.7             | ad. F2016L01020am F2020L00678                                |\n| c. 10.3            | ad. F2016L01765am. F2017L01453rs. F2018L01557am. F2020L01435 |\n| c. 12              | rep. s 48C LA                                                |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2894},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Direction remains focused on its original purpose of establishing temporal and spatial closures for the Northern Prawn Fishery. While amendments have added specific early closure mechanisms and refined end-of-season dates, these are operational refinements within the existing closure framework rather than an expansion into unrelated regulatory areas."},"complexity_factors":["21 separate geographic schedules defining precise boundaries using WGS84 geodetic coordinates, meridians, and geodesic lines","Layered temporal restrictions combining annual recurring dates with specific calendar dates (2020) for early closures","Bifurcated regulatory regimes based on the 138° East meridian, creating different closure times for areas east versus west of that line","Daily time-window prohibitions (night-time and daylight bans) overlaid on seasonal date ranges","Cross-references to the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1995 for undefined terms","Conditional exemption for gear trials with specific operational constraints (open cod end, immediate return of catch)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction sets the Northern Prawn Fishery calendar: statutory concession holders and their operators/crew are banned from prawn trawling in rotating seasonal no‑go areas across the fishery to protect breeding stocks, with closures varying through pre‑season, two main seasons, mid‑season and a year‑end shutdown.\n\nA limited gear‑trial exemption lets vessels enter four trial zones only with cod ends kept open and accidental catch returned. Breaches risk significant Commonwealth fisheries penalties."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171","history":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171/history","analysis":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/northern-prawn-fishery-closures-direction-no-171/documents"}}