Pilot project to determine the effectiveness of FoodSafe Plus as a tool in meeting FSANZ Food Safety Standards
Pilot project for a national database on fisheries R&D capacity
Seafood Directions 2003 - 3rd biennial national seafood industry conference
Occupational health and safety national extension strategy
The WA Fishing Industry Council has supervised OH&S projects that are considered to be vital to the continued successful development of the State’s aquatic resources. The projects have been successful in demonstrating that the broader fishing industry needs a continuing process of improvement. The projects have also demonstrated that the industry can take the lead in OH&S issues, putting it in advance of legislative requirements. Other States have expressed the strong desire to emulate the success of WA, until such time as their relevant sectors of the industry take over the responsibility. There is a pressing need for each jurisdiction to evaluate and adopt OH&S Codes of Practice, and the most efficient manner for this to be done is via the adaptation of the WA OH&S codes.
WAFIC is required to review existing sections of the WA Code to ensure compliance with legislative requirments.
Final report
All states have an OHS Code, which contains three parts. Part 1 addresses the legal requirements of workplace and marine safety legislation. Part 2 addresses generic OHS requirements across all fisheries. Part 3 outlines the basis for a vessel safety management plan. Workshops outlining the OHS Code have been held in some states and fisheries. State AGM‟s and industry meeting shave been attended to explain the project and the benefits to industry.
National commercial fishing industry response to changes to the USL code
Development of severe weather and tropical cyclone education video
WAFIC had identified the need for the development of a series of packages for its members including guidelines on a cyclone contingency plan and liaison with DOT in the development of the short course on Severe Weather and Tropical Cyclone Education. While the Master Class 5 syllabus now contains the short couse module and the short couse module is offered as a stand alone course, a number of fishing vessel operators may not be able to take up the opition of attending the short course.
The area of making informed decisions regarding action when a cyclone is approaching is now only being given the attention it deserves and therefore, there has been some confusion over a number of areas concerning actions in the case of a cyclone. This video provides the latest information and can be beneficial both the new skippers and crew as well as long serving members of industry.
The production of the video to provide an outline of the short course will provide training resources that are currently not available in this format and therefore allows operators to use the video at times convenient to them. The video may also prompt operators to attend the short couses in the future.
Final report
Given the tragic history of the results of cyclones off the WA coast with specific regard to the commercial fishing industry, there is now as part of the Master Class 5 syllabus, a tropical cyclone short course for Uniform Shipping Laws Certificates of Competency and a stand alone optional pre-cyclone refresher for vessels operating north of Geraldton.
In addition to this, all commercial vessel operators north of Geraldton are required to have a cyclone contingency plan for every vessel.
The course also addresses severe weather which applies along the WA coastline and has application further than just in cyclone areas.
It is also recognised that the commercial fishing industry does not always have access to shore based training services due to long periods at sea and therefore on board training resources were required. This enables vessel owners and operators to meet their duty of care requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.
This training video not only services the commercial fishing industry but also the other major areas of commercial vessel operation such as charter vessels and trading.