Butchers have apprenticeships, so do bakers and, for all we know, candlestickmakers do, but not the commercial fishing industry. To be a commercial fisherman all one has to do is enter the Department of Fisheries, put down $80 and that's it. You can then get on any fishing vessel, go to see for days - even months, work with winches, trawl boards, haulers, pots, nets and other gear in all weathers, process fish and even navigate the vessel, all without any qualifications at all. This MUST change if the industry is to be taken seriously. WAFIC intends the industry to be fully professional.

The FRDC, WAFIC and MSC have undertaken public perception studies on the support of fishing activities that have shown that the industry has a very low level of support. The Australian public simply does not believe the message given to it by industry and Government. Western Australia has recognised that the very survival of wild-harvest fisheries depends on a paradigm shift in this negative perception and only a credible, internationally recognised, third-party certification of the State's fisheries will alter the perception and provide industry with the level of security to invest in its future.
The $14.56 million earmarked for third party certification will be split as following: $6.56 million for MSC pre-assessment, full assessment and initial audit and; $2 million per year over 4 years ($8 million) to support Department of Fisheries research and management inputs to the certification process. If the benefits of this investment are to be fully realised for the State and the industry there must be investment in community and industry engagement, and engagement with the post-harvest sector through to the retail and food service. Without such engagement the benefits of certification will not be fully captured. This will require research and testing of cost effective mechanisms to effectively engage. The project builds on the substantial investment by the FRDC in research for Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management. The project will also link with other FRDC activities nationally like the Key Stock Status Report and the trial of the NSW Responsible Fisheries Management Certification project. The whole program of activities in WA that include: A new fisheries Act; MSC certification; and support for FRDC’s marketing function are singularly the largest changes being implemented by a fisheries jurisdiction to improve the future outlook for both capture fisheries and aquaculture.

An increase in the shelf life of low value fish, and therefore the consumers associated perceptions of freshness and quality, could result in increased consumption of these under utilised species, resulting in higher demand for the species and a higher return to the producer. This project would address aspects of the strategic challenges identified in the FRDC industry development plan. Specifically, making better use of under-utilised fish, and producing safe, high quality seafood.

As various producers in WA are exploring the use of MAP the knowledge of whether these organisms are present and the geographical spread of them is critical. Without this knowledge it is not possible to design an appropriate preservation, storage and packaging strategy that is specifically active against these spoilers.

The shark fishing industry needs a framework of Good Manufacturing practices to make sure it complies with existing and future health, and food safety regulations.

Shark fishing involves a level of processing that is no longer common practice in the fishing industry, it needs a framework of good manufacturing practices so that it is able to demonstrate due diligence in the case of a food related health incident.

The fishery wants to know where quality needs to be improved how this may be achieved in practice to improve the landed value of its product, reduce waste and extend the shelf life of fresh shark meat.