Register of Persons concerned about Plans of Management under Section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (2024)

Overview

The Register of Persons concerned about Plans of Management under Section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (2024) was enacted to ensure that individuals and organisations with an interest in the development of management plans under section 17 of the Act are kept informed about relevant draft plans. This initiative by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) aims to facilitate public participation in the management of fisheries resources, thereby promoting transparency and inclusiveness in decision-making processes. The enactment of this register addresses the need for stakeholders to be notified about draft plans, enabling them to provide input and feedback. Persons or organisations can register their interest by submitting their names and postal addresses to AFMA, either via post or email, within specified timeframes depending on their status. Personal information collected for this purpose is handled in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Scope and Application

The Register of Persons concerned about Plans of Management under Section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (2024) applies to any individual or organisation that wishes to receive notifications about draft management plans developed under section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. This encompasses a wide range of stakeholders, including fishing industry participants, environmental groups, research institutions, and any other entities or individuals with an interest in fisheries management practices. The invitation to register is open to both existing and new entities, with a specified timeline for acceptances: entities in existence at the time of the notice's publication must register within one month, while others have up to 12 months from the notice date. The geographic scope of this registration is national, as the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is a Commonwealth entity responsible for managing fisheries across Australian waters. The collection and management of personal information for the register adhere to the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. No exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds are outlined in the gazetted notice, and any further application details or extensions of the Act's provisions are managed through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The primary provisions of the C2024G00412 (Gazette) legislation pertain to the establishment and maintenance of a register under Section 17A of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. This register, maintained by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), includes the names and postal addresses of individuals or organisations interested in receiving notifications about draft management plans. These plans are developed under Section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. To participate, interested parties must submit their acceptance in writing to AFMA within specific timeframes, either within one month if they existed at the time of publication, or within 12 months if they came into existence later. The acceptance must include the full name and postal address of the individual or organisation and may specify whether they wish to be notified about all or specific management plans. All personal information collected by AFMA for this purpose is managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties involved are relatively straightforward. Firstly, the Act mandates that any person or organisation interested in being notified about draft management plans must submit their acceptance in writing to AFMA. This submission must include their name and postal address, and it may specify whether they wish to be notified about all or specific management plans. Additionally, there is a strict timeframe for acceptance: one month if the entity existed at the time of publication, or 12 months if it came into existence later. Failure to comply with these timeframes could result in the entity not being included on the register and, consequently, not receiving notifications about draft management plans. Under the C2024G00412 (Gazette) legislation, there are no explicit offences or penalties for failing to comply with the requirements of the register. However, not being registered may have significant consequences for interested parties, as they would not receive notifications about draft management plans. This lack of notification could impact their ability to participate in the consultation process or to influence the development of management plans that affect their interests. Additionally, AFMA is required to manage any personal information collected for maintaining the register in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring that the information is handled responsibly and securely.