Register of persons interested in plans of management

Overview

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has established a register for persons and organisations interested in plans of management, as outlined in the Gazette notice C2020G00503. This initiative was introduced to ensure that stakeholders can be kept informed about draft management plans, which are developed under section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The register facilitates the inclusion of names and postal addresses of those who wish to receive notifications, allowing them to specify their interest in all or specific management plans. This measure aims to enhance transparency and stakeholder engagement in the fisheries management process. Persons or organisations interested in being part of this register must submit their acceptance in writing, either by post or email, within specified timeframes depending on their existence at the time of the notice publication. The privacy of the collected information is safeguarded under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Scope and Application

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Act provides a framework for the registration of interested parties who wish to be kept informed about draft management plans for fisheries, developed under section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991. This legislation applies to any person or organisation, whether existing or newly established, that expresses an interest in being notified about these draft management plans. To participate, interested parties must submit written acceptances, including their names and postal addresses, to AFMA within specified timeframes, which vary depending on the date of their establishment. The geographic scope of the Act is not explicitly limited to any particular region but rather extends to all fisheries managed under Australian jurisdiction. Personal information collected for the maintenance of the register is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring compliance with privacy obligations. This Act does not specify any exclusions or thresholds but allows for the potential extension of its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The legislation in question, C2020G00503, outlines the process for individuals and entities to register their interest in being notified about draft management plans developed under section 17 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (section 1). To be included in the register maintained by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), interested parties must submit their acceptance in writing, either by post to a specified address (section 2) or by email to an indicated email address (section 2). The written acceptance must include the full name and postal address of the person or organisation registering their interest (section 2). Additionally, registrants have the option to specify whether they wish to be notified about all management plans or only specific ones (section 2). The timeframe for submitting the acceptance depends on whether the person or organisation existed at the time of the notice's publication; if so, the acceptance must be made within one month of the publication date, otherwise within twelve months (section 3). The obligations imposed by this legislation require that interested parties provide their acceptance in the specified format, ensuring that their names and addresses are accurately recorded (section 2). The inclusion of personal information is governed by AFMA’s compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring that any personal data collected is managed responsibly and in accordance with privacy laws (section 4). This registration process is integral for entities seeking to be kept informed of draft management plans, thereby facilitating their potential involvement in the management and planning of fisheries resources. Under the legislation, there are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for failing to register as required; however, the omission to register may result in missing out on opportunities to provide input on draft management plans (section 3). The primary consequence of not registering is the lack of notification and potential involvement in the management and planning processes, which could be significant for entities with a vested interest in fisheries management. As such, compliance with the registration requirements is essential for those wishing to be informed and potentially influence the development of management plans. In summary, the legislation establishes a clear process for registering interest in draft management plans under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. It mandates that interested parties submit their acceptance in writing, within specific timeframes, and ensures that any personal information collected is managed in accordance with privacy laws. While there are no direct penalties for non-compliance, the primary consequence is the potential exclusion from being notified about draft plans, thereby missing opportunities to engage in the management and planning processes.