Reason for the review
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is conducting a review of provisions in Commonwealth fisheries legislation which allow fishing entitlements to be cancelled in certain circumstances.
The review is being conducted to fulfill the previous Australian Government’s 2007 election commitment to: 'Review the feasibility of alternatives to the cancellation provisions under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (FM Act), such as increased financial penalties for non-compliance and longer periods of suspension of statutory fishing rights for domestic fisheries offences'.
The department has expanded the scope of the review to include an examination of cancellation provisions under the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (TSF Act) to ensure consistent application of Commonwealth fisheries policy.
How the review will be conducted
Questionnaire
A questionnaire was developed as a first step in the review and sought stakeholder views on:
- the current cancellation provisions
- the alternatives to the current arrangements
- the criteria to determine the feasibility of the alternatives.
Workshop
The department held two workshops in September 2008 to bring together stakeholders to discuss the information gathered via the questionnaire and to gather views on current cancellation provisions, options for reform and the feasibility of alternative provisions.
The report
Feedback provided via the questionnaires and workshops will assist in preparing a draft report outlining the review’s findings and recommendations.