53—Permits to take protected animals
(1) The Minister may
grant to any person a permit to take protected animals or the eggs of
protected animals, if satisfied that it is desirable to grant the
permit—
(a) to
facilitate scientific research; or
(b) to
enable the person to place bands, marks or tags upon such animals and then to
release them; or
(c) to
permit the destruction or removal of animals that are causing, or are likely
to cause, damage to the environment or to crops, stock or other property; or
(d) for
any other purpose (other than for sale) that the Minister considers proper and
not inconsistent with the objectives of this Act.
(2) A permit under
this section remains in force for such term, not exceeding 12 months, as is
specified in the permit.
(3) The Minister may
at any time revoke a permit granted under this section.
(4) A person to whom a
permit to take protected animals has been granted must, within 14 days
after the expiration or revocation of the permit, deliver to the Minister a
report in the prescribed form stating the number of animals of each species
taken in pursuance of the permit and the number of eggs of any protected
animal taken in pursuance of the permit.
Maximum penalty: $1 000.
Expiation fee: $150.
(5) Without limiting
the conditions subject to which a permit may be granted under this section
those conditions may—
(a)
limit the areas in which protected animals or the eggs of protected animals
may be taken; and
(b)
limit the number of animals or eggs that may be taken in pursuance of the
permit.
(6) Where a permit
relates to animals in respect of which a royalty is payable under this Act,
the Minister may require the applicant to pay in advance an amount equal to
the amount of royalty that would be payable in respect of all the animals in
respect of which the permit is granted.