The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has announced that the 2019-20 Management and Research Levy arrangements for Commonwealth fisheries have been confirmed and the levy rates for the year have been set.
The levy amount charged to concession owners, covers the annual costs associated with managing Commonwealth fisheries including, research priorities to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries.
The total levy amount owed by concession owners for 2019-20 is divided into three instalments and expected invoice issue and due dates are outline below.
Levy invoice | Expected issue date | Due date |
1 | 8 January 2020 | 5 February 2020 |
2 | 4 March 2020 | 1 April 2020 |
3 | 1 May 2020 | 29 May 2020 |
The levy rates for 2019-20 has seen an overall net increase to the amount to be collected from the Commonwealth fishing industry. Six fisheries and one sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) have had a decrease in levy while the other eight fisheries and two sectors of the SESSF have seen an increase in levy for 2019-20.
Levy rates for each fishery may vary due to several factors including:
- changes in management and research priorities for each fishery;
- adjustment for prior year over/under collections; and
- changes in priorities through the financial year that alter the amount of resources required to administer the fishery.
AFMA remains committed to providing efficient and cost effective fisheries management and continues to work closely with the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) to identify opportunities for future efficiencies.
Find more information on the levy rates and arrangements for 2019-2020 including individual concession rates, in the AFMA Levy Arrangements Guide 2019-20, available on the AFMA website.
