Ecologically Sustainable Development 

The concept of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) seeks to integrate economic, social and environmental considerations into the decision-making processes of government and industry.  It is the cornerstone of natural resource management in Australia, and NT Fisheries are committed to implementing the principles of ESD into the management of all its fisheries.

In the Northern Territory, wild capture fisheries are managed under the Fisheries Act and the supplementary legislation that supports it.  We are signatories to the National Policy on ESD and the National ESD framework for Australian fisheries.

The Australian ESD strategy includes three key objectives:

• To enhance the individual and community well-being and welfare by following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future generations.
• To provide for equity within and between generations.
• To protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems.

This means the Territory's aquatic resources must be managed in a sustainable way, both now and into the future, by having regard to the often competing and conflicting aspirations of individual client groups whilst ensuring the aquatic habitat and the environment on which aquatic resources depend, is not detrimentally affected.

Commonwealth Sustainability Guidelines 

Under the Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, it is a requirement for all Australian fisheries that export product to be assessed for their environmental performance against the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries.  NT export fisheries must demonstrate that their management arrangements are ecologically sustainable in order to receive export accreditation and exemption from export controls of the EPBC Act.  The process involves intensive reporting and negotiation with the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) to accurately reflect and ultimately accredit the management arrangements.

NT's Achievements in Ecological Assessments

To date, Fisheries have completed ecological assessment reports to gain export accreditation for eight fisheries.  Five of these received the highest level of accreditation, making them exempt from export regulations for 5 years.  Three fisheries have been declared Wildlife Trade Operations (WTO's), meaning export can occur for a shorter period of time providing steps are taken to improve the status of the fishery.

The following fisheries have gained approval for export under the EPBC Act:

• Aquarium Fishery
• Demersal Fishery
• Finfish Trawl Fishery
• Mud Crab Fishery
• Shark Fishery
• Spanish Mackerel Fishery
• Timor Reef Fishery
• Trepang Fishery

Through completion of the ESD process a number of negotiated positive changes have been incorporated into the management arrangements of NT fisheries.  The successful completion of ESD reports and consultation with industry and the Commonwealth has further raised awareness of ESD issues and facilitated a more ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Copies of the reports prepared by Fisheries and the assessments made by the DEWHA can be viewed on the DEWHA website.  Further information on how ESD is applied in all Australian fisheries can be found on the National Fisheries ESD website.