54Research quota units

54 Research quota units

(1)  In this rule –

permanent basis means continuing in force and effect, subject to the Act, indefinitely;

seasonal basis, in relation to transferred research quota units, means research quota units that have force and effect only for the remainder of the term of the licence to which they are transferred.

(2)  The Secretary may allocate a research quota unit to the holder of a fishing licence (rock lobster).

(3)  A research quota unit allocated to the holder of the fishing licence (rock lobster) under subrule (2) authorises that licence holder to take, for commercial purposes, the weight of rock lobster determined under subrule (4)(a) .

(4)  The Secretary is to determine –

(a) the weight of rock lobster that may be taken under a research quota unit; and

(b) the conditions on which the rock lobster may be taken.

(5)  The Secretary is not to allocate research quota units so that the total weight of those research quota units exceeds 1% of the total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery.

(6)  The holder of a fishing licence (rock lobster) who has been allocated a research quota unit under subrule (2) must comply with the conditions determined under subrule (4)(b) .

Penalty:  Grade 3 penalty.

(7)  A research quota unit may be transferred on a seasonal basis.

(8)  A research quota unit is not to be transferred on a permanent basis.