Significant progress is being made to build the capacity of the Australian seafood industry to enable it to respond effectively to the ever-increasing myriad of challenges, and the rapidly changing demands. Key developments in this area include the national ESD reporting system and several initiatives that facilitate the adoption of environmental management system approaches (ie. the Green Chooser project, EA Eco-efficiency Agreements, and the newly established FRDC EMS Initiative, etc.).
Now, a mechanism is required that capitalises on the investment governments and industry have made in these key initiatives, and brings together and extends the necessary expertise and resources (including information, learning materials and support) to improve the knowledge and skills base of persons engaged in adopting EMS and implementing the ESD framework.
The Green Chooser project (FRDC project 200/146) has provided particular insight into the key competencies required of persons engaged in adopting EMS. Importantly, it has highlighted that where particular expertise exist and provided a preliminary indication of the critical gaps in the skills base of the seafood community (industry and government).
FRDC, in creating its Environmental Management Systems Initiative (FRDC Project 2000/084), has also identified this need and has allocated funds to ensure the persons employed under this initiative and associated industry champions are appropriately trained for their roles.
This need is also reflected in the Seafood Training Australia’s Strategic Training Plan for 2001-2002, and the mid-review findings of the Seafood Industry Training Package Review which recommends a stronger emphasis on environmental awareness and promotion of ESD and environmental management throughout the training package.
Through a partnership between SSA, STA and Ocean Watch, this project (as part of the FRDC ESD Assessment and Reporting Subprogram) will address the need for timely access to information, appropriately skilled support and training in relation to EMS by:
(a) Providing an information and training resource to improve the knowledge and skills base of persons engaged in developing and adopting environmental management systems approaches in the Australian seafood industry;
(b) Delivering a training program to EMS Officers employed under the FRDC EMS Initiative, and associated industry champions; and
(c) Facilitating a network of industry members, government and non-government organisations involved in environmental management in the seafood industry to enhance information exchange in relation to key developments in this rapidly changing environment and encourage collaboration and partnerships.
Final report
Significant progress has been made to build the capacity of the Australian seafood industry to enable it to respond effectively to the ever increasing myriad of challenges, and rapidly changing demands including demands from the community to produce food in an environmentally friendly and safe manner. Key developments in this area include the national ESD reporting system and several initiatives that have facilitated the adoption of environmental management system approaches (i.e. the Green Chooser project, Environment Australia (EA) Eco-efficiency Agreements, and the FRDC State EMS Officer Initiative, etc.).
Through a partnership between Seafood Services Australia (SSA), Seafood Training Australia (STA) and Ocean Watch, the project (as part of the FRDC ESD Assessment and Reporting Subprogram) addressed the need for timely access to information, appropriately skilled support and training in relation to EMS.
SSA received strong support for this project from the Australian Seafood Industry Council (ASIC) and member organisations (representing all States and Territories), the National Aquaculture Council and member organisations (representing all States and Territories), the Seafood Services Australia Network, FRDC, STA, FRDC State EMS Officers, Oceanwatch and SeaNet.
A logical next step to the continuing extension and further development of the project outputs from this project FRDC 2002/303 lead to SSA securing funding through the DAFF Pathways to Industry EMS Program. This will ensure that the products developed under this project and other EMS initiatives undergo continual improvement over the coming years.
Keywords: Environmental Management Systems.