The LCF and MSF have indicated that they want to reconnect consumers with local sources of seafood, for enhanced freshness, food safety and assurance of sustainable fishing methods, including creating new markets for independent fisher suppliers, while at the same time allowing consumers to invest in their community and nearby ecosystems. Overall the LCF and MSF want to convey the contribution they make to the local and regional economy, in particular supporting healthy communities and local fishers being environmental stewards of the resource. Having said this, the LCF and MSF have limited capacity, skills and tools to facilitate or build upon this reconnection. In addition to this, recently commissioned research by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture found the seafood industry is not front of mind for consumers.
Final report
PIRSA with the support of Dr Joshua Stoll held several workshops and meetings with commercial fishers in the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery (LCF) and Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF), members of Wildcatch Fisheries SA and fish markets to understand whether the concept of a Community Support Fishery (CSF) would be applicable in South Australia. These workshops and meetings provided insight into the challenges being faced by commercial fishers and the many opportunities that lay ahead.
