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Policy and planning

The Small Pelagic Fishery Management Plan 2009 was determined by AFMA on 2 November 2009 and accepted by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 30 December 2009.

The Plan provides for the allocation of Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Statutory Fishing Rights (SFR). ITQ SFRs are the preferred output control approach of the Australian Government for managing Commonwealth fisheries. They provide for autonomous structural adjustment of the fishery in addition to providing certainty for future investment.

AFMA has started the process of allocating quota SFRs to concession holders. The process of allocation of quota SFRs is a multi-step process with provision for review of decisions at each stage. AFMA cannot proceed to a final grant of quota SFRs until all requests for review have been dealt with or otherwise disposed of.

Transitional arrangements will be in place (refer to Section 58 of the Plan) whereby existing fishing permits, fishing zones and permit conditions remain valid until the final grant of SFRs and formal notice.

A Regulation Impact Statement (244kb) was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Best Practice Regulation outlining the likely impacts, both financial and otherwise, on stakeholders.

If you have further queries on current management arrangements please contact Yvonne Zunic, Acting Manager Small Pelagic Fishery on 02 6225 5394 or by email on yvonne.zunic@afma.gov.au.