Australian Fisheries Management Authority - Invitation for the Registration of Persons Interested in Plans of Management

Overview

The Register of Persons Interested in Plans of Management, established under section 17A(2) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991, was introduced to facilitate better communication and engagement between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and stakeholders who have an interest in draft management plans for fisheries. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the policy objective of this register is to ensure that interested parties, including individuals and organisations, can be promptly informed about relevant draft management plans, thereby enabling them to participate in the management process. This initiative allows for more transparent and inclusive decision-making within the fisheries sector, as stakeholders can access timely information and contribute to the development of sustainable fishing practices. Interested parties can register their details with AFMA by submitting their name and postal address in writing, specifying whether they wish to receive notifications about all or specific management plans.

Scope and Application

The Register of persons interested in plans of management, established under the Fisheries Management Act 1991, applies to any individual or entity that has an interest in receiving information about draft management plans for fisheries resources within Australian waters. This includes stakeholders such as fishing industries, conservation groups, academic institutions, and any other persons or organisations that wish to engage with or monitor the development of these plans. The legislation mandates that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) maintain this register and facilitates the inclusion of interested parties by requiring them to submit their names and postal addresses, along with any specific preferences regarding the types of management plans they wish to be notified about. The geographic reach of this Act pertains to all fisheries managed under Australian jurisdiction, thus encompassing Commonwealth waters and any other areas as defined under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the notice, and any person or organisation can apply to be included on the register within the specified timeframes. The application process is straightforward, with interested parties needing to submit their details within 12 months from the date of publication of this notice, or one month after publication if they are already listed on the register. The Act may be further refined or detailed through subordinate instruments issued by AFMA, although such specifics are not outlined in the provided notice.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Register of Persons Interested in Plans of Management, as published in the Gazette C2015G01377, relate to section 17A(2) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. This section invites individuals and organisations to register their interest in receiving information about draft management plans, which are developed under section 17 of the Act. The process requires interested parties to submit their names and postal addresses to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). This submission should be made in writing to the AFMA Licensing office, with the address provided as PO Box 7051, Canberra BC, Canberra ACT 2610. In their correspondence, registrants should include their full name and postal address and may specify whether they wish to be notified about all or specific plans of management. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties or entities it governs are primarily administrative in nature. Persons or organisations interested in receiving updates about draft management plans must formally register their interest by submitting their details to AFMA. This registration process must be completed within 12 months of the publication of the notice, unless the person or organisation is already listed on the register, in which case the request must be submitted one month after the publication of this notice. The Act does not stipulate any specific format for the correspondence but does require the inclusion of necessary personal or organisational details to ensure accurate and timely communication. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for failing to comply with the registration requirements. However, by registering, interested parties ensure they are kept informed and can potentially participate in the consultation processes related to the management plans. Non-compliance, in this case, would mean missing out on opportunities to influence or comment on draft management plans, which could be significant for stakeholders with vested interests in the fisheries sector. The Act's primary focus is on facilitating informed participation rather than penalising non-compliance.