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This instrument is the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination 2026.
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Commonwealth legislation
This instrument fixes how excess catch (overcatch) and shortfalls (undercatch) are measured for four quota species in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery for the 1 February 2026–31 January 2027 season. It sets a 10% overcatch and undercatch percentage and a 2‑tonne overcatch weight for bigeye tuna, broadbill swordfish, striped marlin and yellowfin tuna.
Quota holders and fisheries managers are affected because these figures determine quota accounting, compliance obligations and any administrative adjustments for that season.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination 2026.
This instrument is the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination 2026.
This instrument commences the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
This instrument is revoked on 1 February 2027.
This instrument is made pursuant to paragraph 17(6)(aa) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and under subsection 11(1) of the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2005 (the Plan) for the purposes of sections 18 and 19 of the Plan.
A term used in this instrument that is defined for the purposes of the Plan has the same meaning in this instrument as it has in the Plan.
Note: Terms defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 have the same meaning in this instrument.
(1) This section applies to the fishing season commencing on 1 February 2026 and ending on 31 January 2027.
(2) For the quota species listed in an item in column 1 of the table:
(a) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(a) and subsection 18(5) of the Plan, the determined percentage of overcatch is determined by column 2 of the table; and
(b) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(a) and subsection 18(5) of the Plan, the determined weight of overcatch is determined by column 3 of the table; and
(c) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(b) and subsection 19(3) of the Plan, the determined percentage of undercatch is determined by column 4 of the table.
| Item | Column 1Species | Column 2Determined percentage (overcatch) | Column 3Determined weight (overcatch) | Column 4Determined percentage (undercatch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bigeye tuna | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
| 2 | Broadbill swordfish | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
| 3 | Striped marlin | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
| 4 | Yellowfin tuna | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
This instrument is the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination 2026.
This instrument commences the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
This instrument is revoked on 1 February 2027.
This instrument is made pursuant to paragraph 17(6)(aa) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and under subsection 11(1) of the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2005 (the Plan) for the purposes of sections 18 and 19 of the Plan.
A term used in this instrument that is defined for the purposes of the Plan has the same meaning in this instrument as it has in the Plan.
Note: Terms defined in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 have the same meaning in this instrument.
(1) This section applies to the fishing season commencing on 1 February 2026 and ending on 31 January 2027.
(2) For the quota species listed in an item in column 1 of the table:
(a) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(a) and subsection 18(5) of the Plan, the determined percentage of overcatch is determined by column 2 of the table; and
(b) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(a) and subsection 18(5) of the Plan, the determined weight of overcatch is determined by column 3 of the table; and
(c) for the purposes of paragraph 11(1)(b) and subsection 19(3) of the Plan, the determined percentage of undercatch is determined by column 4 of the table.
| Item | Column 1Species | Column 2Determined percentage (overcatch) | Column 3Determined weight (overcatch) | Column 4Determined percentage (undercatch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bigeye tuna | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
| 2 | Broadbill swordfish | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |
| 3 | Striped marlin | 10% |
| 2 tonnes |
| 10% |
| 4 | Yellowfin tuna | 10% | 2 tonnes | 10% |