Fisheries Management (Register of Persons concerned about Plans of Management) Notice (2023)
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) under section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 invites persons and/or organisations interested in being notified of information about draft management plans to have their names and postal addresses entered, or in the case of existing entries, have their names and postal addresses remain, on a register kept by AFMA for such purposes. Management plans are developed under section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
Persons or organisations wishing to accept this invitation to register their interest should do so in writing. Acceptances are to be sent to:
AFMA Licensing
PO Box 7051
Canberra BC
Canberra ACT 2610 OR info@afma.gov.au
The name and postal address of the person and/or organisation registering their interest must be included in the acceptance. Persons and/or organisations accepting this invitation may specify whether they wish to be notified about all or specific plans of management. For persons and/or organisations, in existence on the publication of this notice, acceptances must be given within one month after the publication date. In any other case, acceptances must be given within 12 months after the publication of this notice.
Any personal information collected by AFMA for the purpose of maintaining the register is managed in accordance with AFMA’s obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Overview
The Fisheries Management (Register of Persons Concerned About Plans of Management) Notice 2023, issued by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) under section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991, facilitates the inclusion of individuals and organisations on a register. This initiative aims to ensure that those interested in draft management plans are kept informed, thereby promoting transparency and engagement in the fisheries management process. Persons or organisations can express their interest in being notified by submitting a written acceptance to AFMA, either by post or email. The policy objective is to actively involve stakeholders in the management planning process, ensuring that relevant parties are aware of and can contribute to the development of fisheries management plans.
The personal information collected for maintaining the register is handled in compliance with AFMA’s responsibilities under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring the protection of individuals' data. This notice is a mechanism for AFMA to uphold its commitment to inclusive and transparent management practices in the fisheries sector, enabling stakeholders to participate meaningfully in the planning process.
Scope and Application
The Fisheries Management (Register of Persons concerned about Plans of Management) Notice 2023 applies to any person or organisation with an interest in being notified about draft management plans under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The legislation allows these entities to voluntarily have their names and postal addresses entered into a register maintained by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) for notification purposes. The scope of the register includes individuals and organisations that wish to stay informed about all or specific management plans, as specified during their registration. The application of the Notice extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is issued under the authority of AFMA. However, the Notice does not explicitly detail any exclusions or exemptions, though it is implied that only those who formally register their interest as per the stipulated procedures will be included in the register. The Notice also clarifies that personal information collected for maintaining the register will be managed in accordance with AFMA's obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Key Provisions
The Fisheries Management (Register of Persons Concerned about Plans of Management) Notice (2023) under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 provides a mechanism for individuals and organisations to stay informed about draft management plans related to fisheries. Section 17A of the Act allows the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to maintain a register of those interested in receiving notifications about such plans. The register is intended to ensure that stakeholders who wish to be kept informed about management plans can easily receive relevant updates.
The primary requirement for any person or organisation interested in receiving notifications is to submit their acceptance in writing to AFMA. This can be done by sending the acceptance to the designated address or email address provided in the notice. When registering, it is essential to include the full name and postal address of the person or organisation. Additionally, registrants can specify if they wish to be notified about all management plans or only specific ones. For entities already in existence at the time of the notice's publication, acceptances must be submitted within one month of publication. For those formed after the publication, acceptances must be submitted within 12 months.
The Act imposes specific obligations on both AFMA and the registrants. AFMA must maintain the register and ensure that it is updated with accurate information provided by registrants. Furthermore, AFMA is required to manage any personal information collected in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring that the privacy of the registrants is protected. On the other hand, registrants must provide accurate and complete information when submitting their acceptance and update AFMA if there are any changes to their contact details.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the notice may lead to various consequences. While the notice does not explicitly state penalties or offences, it is clear that non-compliance could result in the registrant missing out on important notifications about draft management plans, potentially affecting their ability to participate in relevant consultations or decision-making processes. Additionally, providing incorrect information could lead to difficulties in communication, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the register. The notice's primary focus seems to be on ensuring an accurate and up-to-date register rather than imposing strict penalties for non-compliance.