Some fish receiver permit holders are not meeting the requirement to submit paperwork to AFMA in a timely manner.
AFMA wrote to all fish receivers in July 2013 reminding them about adhering to permit conditions and in particular the need to return catch disposal records (CDRs) to AFMA in a timely manner. The current requirement is for fish receivers to return their CDR paperwork to AFMA within three working days. AFMA applies some further discretion in receiving CDRs to allow for weekends and postal delays.
AFMA has just completed a comprehensive analysis on the average number of days it has taken each fish receiver to return CDR’s to AFMA in 2013. As a result of this analysis, AFMA has again written to around 40 fish receivers who are considered to be consistently very late in returning CDRs to AFMA. These fish receivers have been put on notice that they may face suspension of their fish receiver permit if they do not improve the timeliness of CDR returns.
Peter Venslovas, General Manager Operations said “AFMA spends a lot of time chasing late CDRs from fish receivers. This administrative burden adds costs to the levies fishermen pay. Fish receivers are reminded that AFMA is closely monitoring fish receiver compliance through a dedicated Compliance Risk Management Team”.
AFMA will continue to undertake initiatives such as fish receiver inspections, audits and routine analysis to ensure fish receivers are acting in accordance with permit requirements.
For further information on fish receiver compliance issues, contact Phil Ravanello, Manager National Intelligence, on 02 6225 5398 or phil.ravanello@afma.gov.au