54Certificate of preference

54 Certificate of preference

(1)  The following persons may apply to the Minister for a certificate of preference to participate in a process for the allocation of a lease in respect of a marine farming zone:

(a) a person who holds or has held a permit for scientific research under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 in respect of an area included in the marine farming zone;

(b) a person who has prepared a draft plan under Part 3 .

(2)  An application is to –

(a) be made in writing in an approved form; and

(b) contain any detail the Minister requires; and

(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee; and

(d) be lodged with the Minister.

(3)  Subject to subsection (4) , the Minister may –

(a) grant the application; or

(b) refuse to grant the application.

(4)  The Minister must not grant an application to a person referred to in subsection (1) (a) unless the person has made a significant contribution in the area of research of Tasmanian marine farming which has a direct relevance to the activities of the marine farming zone.

(5)  If the Minister grants an application, the Minister is to issue a certificate of preference in an approved form.

(6)  A certificate of preference entitles the holder to participate in one process for the allocation of a lease.