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 (FAN) 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.
2024
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NTN2024–05: TSTRLF TIB licence condition variation (towing flexibility)
Native title notification number: NT2024–05
Title: TS Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery: TIB towing flexibility licence condition variation
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 26 July 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 the conditions of carrier class A and carrier class C licences held by traditional inhabitants in the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery to allow for TIB carrier class A licenced primary boats to tow any other licenced TIB dinghy, and allow TIB carrier class C licenced carrier boats to also tow TIB licenced dinghies and provide accommodation to other fishers.
AFMA issued the FAN on 28 June 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.
NTN2024–04: TSFF Sunset Licence catch allocation 2024–25
Native title notification number: NT2024–04
Title: TS Finfish Fishery: Sunset Licence catch allocation 2024–25
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 19 July 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 the 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 and coral trout in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery for the 2024–25 fishing season.
AFMA issued the FAN on 20 June 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.
NTN2024-03: Carrier Licence Class B application
Native title notification number: NT2024–03
Title: Carrier Licence Class B application
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 31 May 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 grant a new Carrier Licence Class B to M.G. Kailis Lobster Pty Ltd to allow the transportation of live and frozen lobster from the Torres Strait region to Cairns.
AFMA issued the FAN on 10 May 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.
NT2024–02: Scientific permit
Native title notification number: NT2024–02
Title: Scientific permit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 29 March 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 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 1 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.
NT2024–01: TIB and fish receiver licence variation for black teatfish 2024
Native title notification number: NT2024–01
Title: TIB and fish receiver licence variation for black teatfish 2024
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 8 March 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.
2023
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NTN2023–06: Cross endorsed licenses for PNG vessels
Native title notification number: NTN2023–06
Title: Cross endorsed licenses for PNG vessels
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 8 January 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 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.
NTN2023–05: Torres Strait Prawn Fishery 2024–26 Total Allowable Effort Limit
Native title notification number: NTN2023–05
Title: Torres Strait Prawn Fishery 2024–26 Total Allowable Effort Limit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 16 October 2023
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.
NTN2023–04: Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery
Native title notification number: NTN2023–04
Title: Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 14 August 2023
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.
NTN2023–03: Sunset Licence catch allocation 2023-24
Native title notification number: NTN2023–03
Title: Sunset Licence catch allocation 2023-24
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 1 August 2023
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.
NTN2023–02: Fisheries Logbook Instrument
Native title notification number: NTN2023–02
Title: Fisheries Logbook Instrument
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 30 June 2023
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.
NTN2023–01: TIB licence variation for Black Teatfish 2023
Native title notification number: NTN2023–01
Title: TIB licence variation for Black Teatfish 2023
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 24 February 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.
2022
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NT2022–03: Torres Strait fishing and carrier boat licence condition variation
Native title notification number: NT2022–03
Title: Torres Strait fishing and carrier boat licence condition variation
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 27 October 2022 – with an extension provided until 10 November 2022
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.
NT2022–02: Sunset Licence catch allocation 2022-23
Native title notification number: NT2022–02
Title: Sunset Licence catch allocation 2022-23
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 2 August 2022
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.
NT2022–01: TRL Scientific Permit
Native title notification number: NT2022–01
Title: TRL Scientific Permit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 5 August 2022
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 undertake 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.
2021
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NTN2021–03: TIB licence variation for Black teatfish
Native title notification number: NTN2021–03
Title: TIB licence variation for Black teatfish
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 14 January 2022
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.
NTN2021–02: Variation of Master Fisherman's licences, fishing licences, carrier licences and fish receiver licences for all commercial Torres Strait Fisheries
Native title notification number: NTN2021–02
Title: Variation of Master Fisherman's licences, fishing licences, carrier licences and fish receiver licences for all commercial Torres Strait Fisheries
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 29 October 2021
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:
- Clarifying where the licence holder can operate and what species they can take, carry and/or process or which boats they can be in charge of.
- Requiring compliance with any applicable management plans.
- Clarifying that boats nominated on a licence must be Australian boats.
- Clarifying requirements for carrying a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).
- Clarifying requirements to land catch to licensed fish receivers.
- Clarifying requirements for tender boats fishing in conjunction with primary boats.
- Ensuring traditional ownership and operation of boats on certain licences.
- Standardising requirements for carrier licence holders.
- Creating provisions for the approved use of electronic catch disposal records on fish receiver licences.
AFMA issued a FAN on 1 October 2021 to the relevant Native Title Bodies and Claimants, as per the National Native Title Tribunal register.
NTN2021–01: Licence condition variation to authorise the sunset sector in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery 2021-22 fishing season
Native title notification number: NTN2021–01
Title: Licence condition variation to authorise the sunset sector in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery 2021-22 fishing season
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 9 July 2021
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.
2020
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NTN2020–07: Variation of licence conditions on Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence
Native title notification number: NTN2020–07
Title: Variation of licence conditions on Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery Traditional Inhabitant Boat Licence
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 25 August 2020
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.
NT2020–05: PNG cross endorsement 2019–20 TRL season
Native title notification number: NT2020–05
Title: PNG cross endorsement 2019–20 TRL season
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 9 July 2020
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.
NTN2020–04: Finfish sunset permit granting
Native title notification number: NTN2020–04
Title: Finfish sunset permit granting
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 10 June 2020
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.
NTN2020–03: Torres Strait Finfish Fishery licence variation
Native title notification number: NTN2020–03
Title: Torres Strait Finfish Fishery licence variation
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 26 May 2020
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.
NTN2020–01: Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery TIB licence variation
Native title notification number: NTN2020–01
Title: Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery TIB licence variation
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 10 June 2020
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.
2019
Below you will find a list of the future act notifications that have been undertaken by AFMA and a link to the consultation documents.
NTN2019–12: Beche-de-mer TACs
Native title notification number: NTN2019–12
Title: Beche-de-mer TACs
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 8 November 2019
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.
NTN2019–11: Beche-de-mer Fishery Conversion Ratios
Native title notification number: NTN2019–11
Title: Beche-de-mer Fishery Conversion Ratios
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 8 November 2019
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.
NTN2019–10: TSPF BRD trial scientific permit
Native title notification number: NTN2019–10
Title: TSPF BRD trial scientific permit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 29 August 2019
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.
NTN2019–09: TS BDM stock survey scientific permit
Native title notification number: NTN2019–09
Title: TS BDM stock survey scientific permit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 10 September 2019
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.
NTN2019–08: TRL stock assessment survey scientific permit
Native title notification number: NTN2019–08
Title: TRL stock assessment survey scientific permit
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 19 August 2019
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.
NTN2019–07: TVH transfer 2018-19 TRL season
Native title notification number: NTN2019–07
Title: TVH transfer 2018-19 TRL season
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 16 August 2019
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.
NTN2019–06: PNG cross endorsement 2018–19 TRL season
Native title notification number: NTN2019–06
Title: PNG cross endorsement 2018–19 TRL season
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 3 July 2019
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.
NTN2019–05: Finfish sunset permit granting 2019-20 season
Native title notification number: NTN2019–05
Title: Finfish sunset permit granting 2019-20 season
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 14 June 2019
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.
NTN2019–04: TRL TAC and TVH conditions
Native title notification number: NTN2019–04
Title: TRL TAC and TVH conditions
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: May 30 2019
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.
NTN2019–03: TRL Quota allocation
Native title notification number: NTN2019–03
Title: TRL Quota allocation
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 12 July 2019
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.
NTN2019–02: TVH licence final licence conditions after final TAC
Native title notification number: NTN2019–02
Title: TVH licence final licence conditions after final TAC
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 1 March 2019
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.
NTN2019–01: TSPF TAE 2019–2020
Native title notification number: NTN2019–01
Title: TSPF TAE 2019–2020
Status: Closed
Consultation period close date: 15 February 2019
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.