(1)  If an agent of a holder of an authorisation commits an offence under this Act, the holder of the authorisation–

(a) is taken to have committed that offence; and

(b) may be proceeded against for that offence whether or not the agent is proceeded against for that offence.

(2)  It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) if the defendant establishes that he or she –

(a) did not know the offence had been committed; and

(b) could not reasonably have prevented the commission of the offence; and

(c) had, before the offence occurred, taken reasonable steps to have the agent comply with this Act; and

(d) took reasonable steps to minimise the impact of the offence on fish and the marine environment.