Native Title Notifications
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), on behalf of the PZJA, consults with registered native title body corporates (RNTBC), registered native title claimants and any representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies in accordance with section 24HA(7) of the Native Title Act 1993. Section 24HA(7) sets out when, and for what processes, a formal Future Act Notification and Native Title Notification must be undertaken. In addition, AFMA engages with RNTBCs, registered claimants and representative bodies through formal consultation and as invited participants on the PZJA consultative forums.
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
For more information on each consultation process please click the links in the below table.
| Native Title Notification Number | Title | Description | Status | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT2024–02 | Scientific permit | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to proposed management action to grant a permit for scientific purposes to conduct a scientific survey in the area of waters of the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery. AFMA issued the FAN on 01 March 2024 to the relevant representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies, registered native title body corporates (RNTBCs) and registered native title claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 29 March 2024. | Open | 29 March 2024 |
| NT2024–01 | TIB and fish receiver licence variation for black teatfish 2024 | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to proposed management action to vary licence conditions for Traditional Inhabitant Boat licences that permit the take of sea cucumber species in the area of waters of the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery and Fish Receiver licences. AFMA issued the FAN on 8 February 2024 to the relevant representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies, registered native title body corporates (RNTBCs) and registered native title claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 8 March 2024. | Open | 8 March 2024 |
| NTN2023–06 | Cross endorsed licenses for PNG vessels | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to the proposed grant of cross-endorsed licences to PNG vessels to access the Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery in the 2023–24 fishing season. AFMA issued the FAN on 20 November 2023 to the relevant representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies, registered native title body corporates (RNTBCs) and registered native title claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 8 January 2024. | Closed | 8 January 2024 |
| NTN2023–05 | Torres Strait Prawn Fishery 2024–26 Total Allowable Effort Limit | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery Total Allowable Effort Limit for 2024, 2025 and 2026. AFMA issued the FAN on 18 September 2023 to the relevant representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies, registered native title body corporates (RNTBCs) and registered native title claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 16 October 2023. | Closed | 16 October 2023 |
| NTN2023–04 | Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery | Proposed management action to make changes to an existing Fisheries Management Instrument which requires fishers to use specific Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in fishing nets in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery. | Closed | 14 August 2023 |
| NTN2023–03 | Sunset Licence catch allocation 2023-24 | Proposed management action to vary licence conditions to authorise the sunset sector in Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (TSFF) to take a total allowable catch amount of Spanish mackerel, coral trout and a basket of other reef-line species in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2023–24 fishing season. | Closed | 1 August 2023 |
| NTN2023–02 | Fisheries Logbook Instrument | Proposed management action to remake the existing Fisheries Logbook Instrument for the Torres Strait. The proposed instrument has the same rules and requirements, with one suggested change related to the prawn fishery only. This proposal will see the continuation of existing requirements for commercial fishers in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster, Finfish, Hand Collectables and Prawn Fisheries (excluding Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence Holders engaging in community fishing) to complete fishery catch logbooks. | Closed | 30 June 2023 |
| NTN2023–01 | TIB licence variation for Black Teatfish 2023 | Proposed management action to vary licence conditions for Traditional Inhabitant Boat licences that permit the take of beche-de-mer species in the area of waters of the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery and fish receivers licences. | Closed | 24 February 2023 |
| NT2022–03 | Torres Strait fishing and carrier boat licence condition variation | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to a proposed management action to vary the licence conditions for all Torres Strait fishing licence (TIB, TVH and Sunset) except Torres Strait Prawn, and carrier licences to ensure they are fit for purpose, meet the legislative objectives of the fishery, achieve the policy intent and remain enforceable. | Closed | 27 October 2022 – with an extension provided until 10 November 2022. |
| NT2022–02 | Sunset Licence catch allocation 2022-23 | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to licence condition variations to authorise the sunset sector in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (TSFF) to take a total catch amount of Spanish mackerel, coral trout and a basket of other reef-line species in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2022–23 fishing season. AFMA issued a FAN on 06 July 2022 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 02 August 2022. | Closed | 2 August 2022 |
| NT2022–01 | TRL Scientific Permit | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to a proposed management action to grant scientific permits to conduct fishery surveys in the area of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery. A scientific permit would authorise CSIRO to under take fishery independent surveys for the TRL fishery for the next three years (2022–2024) and will replicate TRL survey scientific permits that have been previously approved. AFMA issued a FAN on 8 July 2022 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 5 August 2022. | Closed | 5 August 2022 |
| NTN2021–03 | TIB licence variation for Black teatfish | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to proposed management action to vary the conditions on Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery Traditional Inhabitant Boat licences issued under section 19 of the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 to include new total allowable catch limits for black teatfish and daily reporting requirements as per the Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy. AFMA issued a FAN on 8 December 2021 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 14 January 2022. | Closed | 14 January 2022 |
| NTN2021–02 | Variation of Master Fisherman's licences, fishing licences, carrier licences and fish receiver licences for all commercial Torres Strait Fisheries | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to varying Master Fisherman's licences, fishing licences, carrier licences and fish receiver licences to create standard conditions across all licences of the same type and to ensure that the conditions are clear to licence holders. Specifically, the varied conditions will address the following:
AFMA issued a FAN on 1 October 2021 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 29 October 2021. | Closed | 5 November 2021 |
| NTN2021–01 | Licence condition variation to authorise the sunset sector in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery 2021-22 fishing season | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to licence condition variations to authorise the sunset sector in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (TSFF) to take a total catch amount of Spanish mackerel, coral trout and a basket of other reef-line species in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2021-22 fishing season. AFMA issued a FAN on 25 June 2021 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 9 July 2021. | Closed | 9 July 2021 |
| NTN2020–07 | Variation of licence conditions on Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to a variation of licence conditions on Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence to implement a new total allowable allowable catch limit for Black Teatfish and daily landing to a fisher. The proposed management action would vary BDM Fishery TIB licence conditions to allow a 20 tonne TAC for Black teatfish and require fishers to land catches of beche-de-mer daily to a licenced fish receiver. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 25 August 2020. | Closed | 25 August 2020 |
| NT2020–05 | PNG cross endorsement 2019–20 TRL season | In line with section 24HA (2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the endorsement of three Papua New Guinea (PNG) licences and associated tenders to permit commercial fishing in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery, 2019-20 fishing season. AFMA issued a FAN on 12 June 2020 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closes on 9 July 2020. | Closed | 9 July 2020 |
| NTN2020–04 | Finfish sunset permit granting 2020–21 season | In line with section 24HA(7), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the licence condition variation for Sunset licences in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2020–21 fishing season to enforce catch allowances. AFMA issued a FAN on 13 May 2020 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 10 June 2020. | Closed | 10 June 2020 |
| NTN2020–03 | Torres Strait Finfish Fishery licence variation | In line with section 24HA(7) of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to the proposed management action to vary the catch allocation licence condition for Spanish mackerel and Coral trout on one Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (TSFF) Sunset licence which limits the holder to not take more than the prescribed kilogram amounts of catch allowance for Spanish mackerel, Coral trout and a basket of other reef-line species. AFMA issued a FAN on 12 May 2020 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 26 May 2020. | Closed | 26 May 2020 |
| NTN2020–01 | Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery TIB licence variation | In line with section 24HA(7), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the licence condition variations for Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence holders in the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery to implement a new total allowable catch limit for Black Teatfish and daily landing to a fish receiver. AFMA issued a FAN on 13 May 2020 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from the link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 10 June 2020. | Closed | 31 March 2020 |
| NTN2019–12 | Beche-de-mer TACs | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to the variation of licence conditions to include new total allowable catch limits for the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery as per the final draft Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy. The conditions that are the subject of this notification, limit the amount of BDM species that can be taken by a licence holder and all other licences granted by the PZJA to take BDM species in the area of waters of the BDM Fishery in a fishing season. AFMA issued a FAN on 27 September 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 8 November 2019. | Closed | 8 November 2019 |
| NTN2019–11 | Beche-de-mer Fishery Conversion Ratios | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA in relation to the variation of licence conditions to include conversion ratios for Beche-de-mer species in the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery (BDM Fishery). The proposed conversion ratios are to be used to convert reported processed weights back to a standard unit of wet gutted weight to measure. AFMA issued a FAN on 27 September 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 8 November 2019. | Closed | 8 November 2019 |
| NTN2019–10 | TSPF BRD trial scientific permit | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the grant of a Permit for Scientific Purposes to undertake a trial of a trawl net bycatch reduction device in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery (TSPF). AFMA issued a FAN on 15 August 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded below. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 29 August 2019. | Closed | 29 August 2019 |
| NTN2019–09 | TS BDM stock survey scientific permit | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposal of a scientific permit to be granted for the Beche-de-mer Fishery survey. Scientific permit would authorise a fishery independent survey to be undertaken within a period of six months (November 2019 – May 2020) and will involve site counts at survey sites across area of the BDM Fishery in order to calculate precision population trends of beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) species. AFMA issued FAN on 13 August 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 10 September 2019. | Closed | 10 September 2019 |
| NTN2019–08 | TRL stock assessment survey scientific permit | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposal of a scientific research permit to be granted for the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (TRL) Fishery Stock Assessment Survey. A Scientific permit would authorise CSIRO to undertake fishery independent surveys for the TRL Fishery over the next three years (2019-2021) and will replicate TRL survey scientific permits that have previously been approved. AFMA issued a FAN on 19 July 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal Register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed 19 August 2019. | Closed | 19 August 2019 |
| NTN2019–07 | TVH transfer 2018-19 TRL season | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposed licence condition variation to give effect to any application to transfer a part of an individual catch share between Transferable Vessel Holder (TVH) licenced operators in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery. AFMA issued a FAN on 18 July 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed 16 August 2019. | Closed | 16 August 2019 |
| NTN2019–06 | PNG cross endorsement 2018–19 TRL season | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposed endorsement of one Papua New Guinea (PNG) licence to permit commercial fishing in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery. AFMA issued a FAN on 3 June 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 14 June 2019. | Closed | 3 July 2019 |
| NTN2019–05 | Finfish sunset permit granting 2019-20 season | In line with section 24HA(7), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the licence condition variation for Sunset licences in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2019–20 fishing season to enforce catch allowances. AFMA issued a FAN on 16 May 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The document sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 14 June 2019. | Closed | 14 June 2019 |
| NTN2019–04 | TRL TAC and TVH conditions | In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for licence condition variation to update individual catch shares for the Transferrable Vessel Holder (TVH) licenced operators in line with updates to the total allowable catch (TAC) for the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (TRL) Fishery. AFMA issued a FAN on 16 May 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The documents sent with the FAN can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed May 30 2019. | Closed | 30 May 2019 |
| NTN2019–03 | TRL Quota allocation | Allocation of quota units in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery In line with section 24HA(2), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the allocation of quota units to the principal licence holders in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery in accordance with the Torres Strait Fisheries (Quotas for Tropical Rock Lobster (Kaiar)) Management Plan 2018. AFMA issued FAN’s on 24 June 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The documents sent with the FAN can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed on 12 July 2019. | Closed | 12 July 2019 |
| NTN2019–02 | TVH licence final licence conditions after final TAC | In line with section 24HA(2), a Future Act Notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposed management action to update interim quota conditions for the transferrable vessel holder (TVH) licenced operators. This is to allocate the final total allowable catch (TAC) for the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (TRL) Fishery subject to AFMA approval as the PZJA delegate. AFMA issued a FAN on 15 February 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The documents sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed 1 March 2019. | Closed | 1 March 2019 |
| NTN2019–01 | TSPF TAE 2019–2020 | In line with section 24HA(7), a future act notice (FAN) was issued by AFMA for the proposed management action to set a total allowable effort limit (TAE) for the 2019 and 2020 fishing seasons for the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery (TSPF), subject to PZJA approval. AFMA issued a FAN on 29 January 2019 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register. The documents sent can be downloaded from link. The consultation period for the FAN closed 15 February 2019. | Closed | 15 February 2019 |