The Australian Seafood Industry Council has identified a need to hold a biennial national seafood industry conference where the industry can gather in an appropriate forum to discuss and learn about issues of critical nature affecting the industry and to use this forum as a means of providing the basis for future planning and directions.
It will be a critical component of SD 2001 to measure the achievements of ASIC against the SD 99 Action Plan and to build upon this Action Plan for the two years from 2001 - 2003.
There are a range of industry needs which have been identified as critical and which a National Seafood Conference can immediately and directly address at a national level.
The needs identified at Seafood Directions '99 and written into the SD 99 Action Plan were:
• Implement the FAO code of conduct (has been distributed, what hasn’t been implemented - how to finish, include in all environmental plans, must have ownership, link to communication strategy, time limit, include the content in education circular in any training, report to FAO annually on the implementation of the code 2001.
ACCESS SECURITY
• Needs to be continuous efforts to clarify rights
• Maintain existing current rights
• Extend current rights in future
• Need to educate our policy makers to ensure our rights are preserved
• Plain English document on what property rights are - what the different access security structures are
• Consistent approach nationally to expectations on what access rights are
• Industry and environmental NGOs needs to drive the process
• Clarification of tenure on access
• Ensure gear types are included in conditions of access
• Recreational, traditional need to be included
• Need an economic study on the Australian industry
• Include non extractive users rights and - biodiversity
ENVIRONMENT
• Develop an innovative approach to meeting environmental requirements (industry in the broad definition including green groups) and work with Environment Australia to a joint approach to legislation.
• Develop a communication strategy
• Identify debilitating impacts on marine environment and work with conservation groups to rectify
• Develop resources for ASIC to meaningfully meet its charter
• Whole of government approach needs to be considered - AFFA
• Meet with National Farmers Federation (NFF) environmental sub committee to discuss joint issues (Nigel Scullion to arrange through ASIC)
• National standard for fisheries ESD
INDUSTRY PROFILE
• Ensure education material is comprehensive in its development to ensure that all stakeholders are involved
• Develop a strong credible peak body that represents the whole industry
• Seafood Training Australia (STA) should develop similar program as New Zealand (see G Morris)
• All local groups to develop mechanisms to keep informed their local elected representatives • tell your story
• Develop central one page document that are used by all - develop a common message
• Strategies to develop people in leadership roles including public speaking, negotiations skills
QUALITY
• Develop environmental management systems
• Support industries that are developing Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
• Develop a whole of chain approach to quality
• D develop a link between price and quality
• Develop standards for quality and specifications and educate what they mean
• Educate consumer what quality is and where to get a quality product
• Standards must be well written and user friendly and meet all fisheries requirements
• A set standard for fish handling on the boat that meets customer expectations • training to include quality
• Need to train the consumer in how to handle seafood until consumed
• Strategy to include the broader seafood industry through ASIC process
• Can the resource sustain the level of cost recovery
Given the results and Action Plan from SD 99, the following is clear:
1. There is a critical need for the seafood industry of Australia to promote itself and it's image.
2. There is a critical need for the industry at national level to adequately address issues of Access Security.
3. There is a critical need for the industry at national level to adequately address issues of Quality.
4. There is a critical need for the industry at national level to adequately address issues relating to the Environment.
5. There is also a critical need for industry to address the public's perception of seafood and associated issues such as quality, health benefits and product promotion.
6. There is a clear need for the Australian seafood industry to develop a 'conference culture' at a national level, which is critical to ensuring effective information transfer.
7. Other issues such as training and education, marketing and industry development also have international aspects which could be addressed through attracting international industry delegates to Australia through a conference.
