Fisheries Act 1994

A priority fish is a fish of any of the following species or group of species—

barramundi;

black jewfish;

coral trout;

mud crab;

Murray cod;

prawn;

ray;

redthroat emperor;

sea cucumber;

shark;

snapper;

spanish mackerel;

tropical rock lobster;

another species or group of species prescribed by regulation under subsection (2).

The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation to prescribe a species or group of species of fish as priority fish if the Minister is satisfied—

there has been—

a significant increase in contraventions of this Act relating to the taking, possessing, using or selling of the species or group; or

a significant increase in demand for the species or group that is likely to cause a significant increase in contraventions of this Act as mentioned in subparagraph (i); and

prompt action is required to declare the species or group to be priority fish to prevent contraventions or further contraventions of this Act as mentioned in paragraph (a)(i).