Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

It is a matter for AFMA to make those decisions. As I am advised, AFMA has received a nomination fee of the Abel Tasman to fish in the small pelagic fishery. In order for the Abel Tasman to be nominated against a fishing concession it must be registered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as an Australian flagged vessel. This process was completed on 5 September 2012 when the Australian Maritime Safety Authority registered the FV Abel Tasman as an Australian flagged vessel under the Shipping Registration Act. It is currently, as I understand it, waiting final advice from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority about its request to use the FV Abel Tasman in the small pelagic fishery. I will take that on notice in case that has been updated between yesterday and today.