The Act seeks to implement obligations of Australia under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources of 1980. Section 5 provides for the application sphere of the Act. Subject to that section, this Act applies both within and outside Australia and extends to every external Territory. Section 8 declares harvesting of, or carrying out research with respect to, any marine organisms in the area south of the Antarctic Convergence (the "Convention area"), without a permit, to be an offence. Granting, suspension, and cancellation of permits is regulated by section 9 to 12. Other provisions deal with inspection and measures of enforcement. The Minister may appoint inspectors under section 13. Powers of inspectors are specified in section 16. The Schedule contains the text of the Treaty aforementioned. Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this Act (sect. 4A).
Australia · 1981-04-14