Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

1.2 Wildlife trade and management

This section reports on the operation of the EPBC Act in regulating the import and export of Australia’s native flora and fauna and of species restricted through international trade controls, and the development of wildlife and fisheries conservation and management plans.

Live imports

The import of live animals and plants into Australia is controlled by the EPBC Act and the Quarantine Act 1908, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The list of specimens taken to be suitable for live import (the ‘live import list’) specifies all species and specimens that may be imported live into Australia. If a species is not listed then live specimens cannot be legally imported, even if the species has previously been imported or is already known to be in Australia. Anyone can apply to the minister to amend the live import list to include a new species. The applicant must provide a report that assesses the risks that the species may pose to the Australian environment. Each species proposed for inclusion on the live import list is the subject of a detailed assessment, including public consultation.

In 2012–13, five species were approved by the minister for inclusion on the live import list. These were New Zealand paua (Haliotis iris), a vinegar fly (Drosophila birchii), a parasitic blood fluke (Schistosoma haematobium) and the ram’s head snail (Bulinus truncates), all species for research purposes, and a geometrid moth (Eueupithecia cisplatensis) for biological control of Parkinsonia—a weed of national significance.

One species, the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) was removed from the

list due to its recognition as a serious pest. Two corrections/taxonomic updates were also approved in 2012–13; the scientific name of the sucker catfish (Otocinclus arnoldi) was updated and the conditions for import of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) were corrected. Amendments were also made to the minimum size limits for certain species of ornamental fish to assist with better identification at ports of entry by border officials. Six further applications to amend the live import list received during the year are still under assessment. Three are for research purposes and three for zoological purposes.

There has been ongoing concern and confusion regarding importation of hybrid animals since the ministerial decision in 2008 to prohibit the savannah cat. The department published on its website a clarification of its position on the importation of hybrids and the reasons for its concern about the potential environmental risk posed by some hybrid animals.

Sustainable wildlife industries

The international movement of wildlife and wildlife products is regulated under the EPBC Act. The EPBC Act provides for trade in specimens derived from regulated native species, species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the import of regulated
live animals.

Approval can be given to export native and CITES specimens provided they have been derived from an approved captive breeding program, an artificial propagation program, an aquaculture program, a wildlife trade operation or a wildlife trade management plan.

The following wildlife programs were approved in 2012–13:

• 
  three captive breeding programs
  
• 
  two new and seven revised artificial propagation programs
  
• 
  two individual wildlife trade operations (non-fisheries)
  
• 
  four wildlife trade management plans.
  

The department completed 58 assessments for transfers of live animals for exhibition in zoos and aquaria. Through a review process and facility assessment, the department ensures that live animals only go to appropriate zoological institutions. During 2012–13 the department completed 47 facility assessments for a wide range of animals, including komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). The department also undertook an audit of all overseas institutions that hold koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), wombats (Vombatidae), Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) or species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act to ensure the overseas institutions are complying with the agreed terms and conditions to hold these species.

Wildlife trade permits

Under Part 13A of the EPBC Act it is an offence to import or export CITES specimens, export regulated native specimens and import regulated live specimens unless a permit has been issued or the import/export is covered by an exemption under the EPBC Act.

In 2012–13 the department issued 1810 permits for the import/export of regulated specimens in the above categories. Of that number, 1556 permits were issued for CITES specimens, 233 permits for the export of regulated native specimens and 21 permits for the import of live specimens. The number of personal accompanied baggage permits issued was 15 635.

The department issued 217 non-commercial wildlife trade permits to scientists for a range of research purposes, including importing dugong samples from Palau and exporting Tasmanian devil DNA to the United States of America.

Fisheries assessment and approvals

Under the EPBC Act the department assesses the management arrangements of Australian fisheries to ensure they are managed in an ecologically sustainable way and to identify areas for improvement. All Commonwealth-managed fisheries and all state and territory fisheries with an export component must undergo assessment.

A total of 110 fisheries are declared as either exempt from the export provisions of the EPBC Act for up to five years or as approved wildlife trade operations for periods of up to three years.

Of the 24 fisheries comprehensively assessed in 2012–13, six were Commonwealth managed, 17 were state managed and one was a small-scale operation. All were assessed within statutory timeframes. Twelve fisheries were approved as wildlife trade operations and 12 were exempt from the export provisions of the EPBC Act.

As a result of this assessment process, conditions and recommendations were agreed between the department and the management agencies for these fisheries that aim to actively enhance the ecologically sustainable management of these fisheries in the short to medium term. The outcomes are published in detailed reports on the department’s website at: www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html.