Fisheries Management Act 1994

If the action proposed to be taken by the applicant is not on land that is critical habitat and the application is not accompanied by a species impact statement, the Secretary must determine whether the action proposed is likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats.

For that purpose, the Secretary must take into account the following—

each of the factors listed in subsection (2A),

any assessment guidelines issued and in force under section 220ZZA.

The following factors must be taken into account in making a determination under this section—

in the case of a threatened species, whether the action proposed is likely to have an adverse effect on the life cycle of the species such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction,

in the case of an endangered population, whether the action proposed is likely to have an adverse effect on the life cycle of the species that constitutes the endangered population such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction,

in the case of an endangered ecological community or critically endangered ecological community, whether the action proposed—

is likely to have an adverse effect on the extent of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction, or

is likely to substantially and adversely modify the composition of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction,

in relation to the habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community—

the extent to which habitat is likely to be removed or modified as a result of the action proposed, and

whether an area of habitat is likely to become fragmented or isolated from other areas of habitat as a result of the proposed action, and

the importance of the habitat to be removed, modified, fragmented or isolated to the long-term survival of the species, population or ecological community in the locality,

whether the action proposed is likely to have an adverse effect on critical habitat (either directly or indirectly),

whether the action proposed is consistent with the objectives or actions of a recovery plan or threat abatement plan,

whether the action proposed constitutes or is part of a key threatening process or is likely to result in the operation of, or increase the impact of, a key threatening process.

If the Secretary determines that an action proposed by an applicant for a licence is likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats, the Secretary must notify the applicant that, if the application is to proceed, a species impact statement prepared in accordance with Subdivision 2 must be provided.

If the Secretary determines that an action proposed is not likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats, a licence under this Part is not required and the Secretary must, as soon as practicable after making the determination, issue to the applicant a certificate to that effect.