17Special permits

17 Special permits (1) A person may apply to the Director for a special permit to do one or more of the following things for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2): (a) take fish or aquatic life: (i) of all species or a species specified in the permit; or (ii) from any waters (including waters where fishing may for the time being be prohibited or restricted) specified in the permit; or (iii) during a time specified in the permit; or Fisheries Act 1988 24 (iv) using such fishing gear as may be specified in the permit (whether or not the use of the fishing gear is otherwise prohibited or restricted); (b) possess fishing gear that the person is otherwise not permitted to possess by or under this Act. (2) For subsection (1), the purposes are: (a) education, research or the carrying out of trials and experiments with fishing vessels or fishing gear or any other apparatus or technique that is capable of being used in connection with the taking of fish or aquatic life; or (b) sport or recreation in the case of a disabled person who, in the opinion of the Director, would otherwise be unable, by reason of the person's disability, to fish by the methods permitted by this Act; or (c) any other purpose approved by the Minister. (3) After considering the application, the Director may grant a special permit subject to any conditions the Director may, from time to time, impose. (4) All fish or aquatic life taken under a special permit must be disposed of as the Director directs, or as may be specified in the permit. (5) A special permit granted for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) may specify that fish taken under it may be sold. (6) The Director may at any time revoke a special permit by giving written notice to the holder. (7) A person does not commit an offence against this Act if the person does a thing in accordance with a special permit.