Fisheries Management (Sardine Fishery) Regulations 2021.

The Fisheries Management (Sardine Fishery) Regulations 2021 establish the legal framework governing the commercial taking of sardines and related small pelagic species within the Spencer Gulf Zone, Gulf St Vincent Zone and the Outside Zone. The regulations define key terms, spatial boundaries and the aquatic resources to which the regime applies. They provide for the constitution of the fishery and set out eligibility criteria for the issue of licences, including transitional arrangements for former Marine Scalefish Fishery licence holders. They also regulate the transfer, registration and revocation of registration of boats, devices and masters, supported by documentary requirements such as current company extracts. The scheme establishes the individual sardine catch quota system, under which the Minister determines annual unit values and may impose or vary quota entitlements. The regulations prescribe mechanisms for reallocating units between zones, adjusting entitlements for under‑catch or over‑catch, and restricting applications involving units generated through certain variations. Operational controls include prohibitions on using a registered boat under more than one licence at a time, mandatory reporting, record‑keeping, and requirements relating to weighing, sealing, tagging, transport and consignment of sardines. All sardines must be delivered to a registered fish processor, and unloading onto another vessel is restricted.