Demand for assistance from clients in areas such as live transport, modified atmosphere packaging, value adding, market information, etc continues. Requests for information in three new areas have increased. These are:

(i) A search for alternative export markets and domestic outlets for product formerly sent to Asia. In order to assist in this area, Alan Snow has recently competed an export facilitation course through the Australian Institute of Export.

(ii) A need to comply with food safety regulations and quality assurance specifications of customers and ultimately ANZFA. This is expected to increase as a result of the SeaQual initiatives.

(iii) A requirement to support the SeaQual Chooser initiative through supply of suitable material for the SeaQual packs and through an increased volume of requests for customised information packages resulting from the distribution of 35,000 Choosers.

More specifically, industry needs from AUSEAS that we have identified are:

1. Assistance to people who are exploring new ventures, products, and processes. This includes 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.

3. Customised assistance to companies implementing food safety plans and quality management programs in cooperation with SeaQual initiatives.

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

5. 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.

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

7 A centralised delivery point for information on seafood related matters acting as a "one stop shop" for the industry.

8 A need to promote the national post-harvest infrastructure services of FRDC. i.e. AUSEAS, NSC, and SeaQual.