12Total allowable catch for fishery

12 Total allowable catch for fishery

(1)  The quota period during which the total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery and the recreational rock lobster fishery may be taken is the period beginning on 1 March in a year and ending on the last day of February in the following year.

(2)  The total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery and the recreational rock lobster fishery is to be allocated as follows:

(a) if the total allowable catch is set at less than 1 700 tonnes –

(i) the recreational rock lobster fishery is to be allocated 170 tonnes; and

(ii) the commercial rock lobster fishery is to be allocated the total allowable catch minus 170 tonnes;

(b) if the total allowable catch is set at 1 700 tonnes or more –

(i) the recreational rock lobster fishery is to be allocated 10% of the total allowable catch; and

(ii) the commercial rock lobster fishery is to be allocated 90% of the total allowable catch.

(3)  The Minister is to allocate the portion of the total allowable catch allocated to the commercial rock lobster fishery to the holders of fishing licences (rock lobster) according to the number of rock lobster quota units held and owned by those licence holders in respect of those licences immediately before the commencement of the period referred to in subrule (1) .