Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040:body:0:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 56932–59944

giant freshwater crayfish is primarily the responsibility of the Inland Fisheries Service (Tasmania) under the provisions of the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmania) under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Since January 1998 giant freshwater crayfish have been a 'protected fish' under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, prohibiting fishing for the species. Previous fisheries regulations allowed a recreational fishery for the giant freshwater crayfish during the angling season, with original regulation allowing a bag limit of 12 giant freshwater crayfish a day, a minimum size of 130 mm carapace length, and no taking of females in berry (Hamr 1990b). From the 1993-94 season, the taking of all females was prohibited and a bag limit of three males per day applied. Six catchments, including the Hellyer, Inglis, Duck, Emu, Mersey and Great Forester were closed to the taking of freshwater crayfish (Inland Fisheries Commission 1993a, b). In addition, taking of any giant freshwater crayfish (i.e. including the two other species of Astacopsis) was prohibited under Inland Fisheries regulations in 2000.
Management of the species in relation to forest practices is also subject to a number of provisions under the Forest Practices Code (FPA 2015). The giant freshwater crayfish is a 'priority species requiring consideration' under the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement 1997 (RFA). The RFA requires that priority species be protected through the Comprehensive, Adequate Representative (CAR) Reserve System, and/or by applying relevant management prescriptions (Clause 68) which are adequate for the species protection and have a sound scientific basis (Clause 96). The RFA states that management prescriptions and actions identified in jointly prepared and agreed recovery plans are to be implemented as a matter of priority (Clause 70).
The Tasmanian Forest Practices Code (2015) requires that threatened species listed under both the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 be taken into account in the preparation of Forest Practices Plans (FPPs) both on Crown land and on private land. Mechanisms for mitigating impacts include the establishment of streamside reserves in moderate and high suitability habitat, determined from mapping and on ground habitat surveys, and restoration of streamside reserves in previously cleared agricultural/plantation areas now utilised for wood production. A Forest Practices Plan (FPP) must be prepared for any forest practices (as defined under the Forest Practices Act, 1985) on non-vulnerable land that is in excess of one hectare or 100 tonnes of timber per year upon any one property, even if no commercial wood is produced (FPB 2002). On vulnerable land, a FPP is required for any forest practice, unless it meets specific circumstances outlined in the Forest Practices Regulations.
FPPs are