The Australian retailer's network provides a platform in which the FRDC can obtain direct engagement within the sector that is a key research extension and utilisation pathway - not only for consumer insights and marketing research but also for communicating and interacting with the consumer on issues such as fisheries sustainability and food safety. The retailers are the "consumer face" of the industry so as the industry, with the assistance of the FRDC, begins it's marketing journey the Australian Seafood Retailers Network will become a key piece of research extension and utilisation infrastructure as well as a pathway for industry marketing initiatives.
There is now also the need to evaluate the existing network and look at ways the network could move towards a more self-funding model in 2017.