161Endorsements

#### 161 Endorsements 161 Endorsements > > (1) The Minister may endorse the commercial fishing licence of a person only if— > > > > > (a) the person satisfies the eligibility requirements for an endorsement, and > > > > > (b) any fee or contribution due and payable in connection with the endorsement has been paid. > > > (2) The Minister may refuse to endorse the commercial fishing licence of a person who is otherwise eligible if the person, or the entitlement holder who nominated the person— > > > > > (a) has been convicted of an offence against the Act or the regulations or an offence relating to commercial fishing operations under a law of the Commonwealth, of another State, a Territory or of New Zealand, or > > > > > (b) has been convicted of an offence relating to the theft of fish, fishing gear or a boat or intentional damage to fishing gear or a boat, or > > > > > (c) has been convicted of an offence under the [Marine Estate Management Act 2014](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2014-072) or the regulations made under that Act, or > > > > > (d) has, in the opinion of the Minister, contravened a condition of an endorsement or a commercial fishing licence. > > > (3) The Minister may refuse to endorse the commercial fishing licence of a person who is otherwise eligible if the person has previously held an endorsement that has been suspended or cancelled by the Minister.