Training is needed, for fish farmers, technicians & veterinarians in all Australian States, for increased vigilance with respect to early disease detection, diagnosis, control and eradication of newly emerging endemic and exotic fish diseases. Northern States of Australia (NT, Qld) are at greatest risk for disease incursions, via the vast expanse of the States & Territories, remoteness of farms, illegal trade of fish, fish products, shipping movements (over 13 ports in Qld), people movement and the proximity of northern Australia to Indonesia, PNG and Asia. Early fish disease detection and eradication is necessary to protect the Biosecurity of the Australian Fish Farming industry, and prevent disease spread within and between States.

The continued annual growth of the barramundi & freshwater fish industries in all Australian States precipitates the need for farmer training for disease detection at the grass-roots level for farm workers to detect, control and treat fish disease, and thereby reducing disease risk to aquaculture enterprises and fisheries resources.

A specific training workshop is needed to train fish farmers, technicians, fisheries officers, vets, with hands-on, practical, technical skills & knowledge by Aquatic Animal health Professionals, so skills can be practically applied on farms during disease epizootics, investigations, and disease emergencies. This is needed to support continued growth, productivity, & sustainability of the Australian Fish farming Industry, disease being a limiting factor. This Workshop is needed to support on-going disease reporting activities by all States to DAFF, OIE and NACA, allowing continuation of Australian trade in fish and disease-free status.

The Australian seafood industry faces two major challenges, to cope with the limitations to those wild fisheries resources that are fully exploited, and to adapt to the changing preferences and expectations of the marketplace. Further growth will come from increased aquaculture production and better utilisation of the existing catch.

We are trading on a global market, and overseas competitors are threatening our position as a unique supplier of high quality raw material. Australian exporters have been effective in moving from bulk commodity markets to smaller, more lucrative niche markets with specialist requirements.

Trade liberalisation will expand the scope for high priced, value-added products with a significant service component. To take advantage of these opportunities, Australian producers need knowledge of markets and their requirements, processes, products, presentation options, quality and safety standards and systems, prices, and the levels of service expected of suppliers.

In the current project (1999/333) a number of areas where industry is demanding assistance are listed. Some of these have been satisfied whilst others need more emphasis. These are:

1. Assistance to people exploring new ventures, products and processes including value-adding and processing options, market details and technical information.

2. Information on contacts in markets, government agencies and other service providers (eg consultants, freight forwarders, equipment providers). AUSEAS needs to maintain a comprehensive list of contacts and to keep information on the capabilities of providers of services to improve coordination across the seafood industry. This current contact list along with contact lists from other components of SSA will form the basis for a whole SSA industry contact database.

3. Trouble shooting when problems occur, usually in the form of telephone advice or short, customised written material.

4. Advice on funding assistance, usually in the areas of product and process development applications to NSC. This can include reviewing applications before and after submission and assessment of reports.

5. Demand for brief targeted information to be provided free of charge through delivery methods such as Internet, fax-back, etc.

6. A centralised delivery point for information on seafood related matters to act as a “one-stop" shop for the industry.

In addition to direct assistance to industry, we also perform a networking role between researchers and the industry. Services we offer to researchers are:
(a) Identification of areas needing research.
(b) Assistance with background literature searches etc.
(c) Introduction to industry collaborators.
(d) Review of research proposals.
(e) Review of reports etc prior to publication.
(f) Assistance with dissemination and application of research findings.