Overview
Workplace fatalities and injuries in fishing and aquaculture make it one of the most dangerous occupations in Australia.
Established in 2018, FRDC’s National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative partnership builds on and broadens previous FRDC investment in this area by addressing research gaps in Australian fishing and aquaculture workplace health and safety.
FRDC works with industry, community, regulatory and research partners to achieve positive cultural change in the safety of the Australian fishing and aquaculture. The Strategic Plan and Terms of Reference developed by members of the initiative to guide its activities can be found below:
- National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative Strategic Plan
- National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative Terms of Reference
Research management
National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative membership comprises national industry leaders and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Key contacts:
- Patrick Hone (Chair) 0419 628 400, patrick.hone@frdc.com.au
- Carolyn Stewardson (FRDC Research Portfolio Manager) 0418 867 944, carolyn.stewardson@frdc.com.au
Marine safety
FRDC’s Seafood National RD&E Seafood Industry Safety Initiative Strategic Plan commits research funding to four key areas:
- Education: the development of electronic learning tools to facilitate an improved culture of safety awareness, including knowledge of general workplace safety requirements under workplace health and safety legislation and Australian Maritime Safety Authority legislation.
- Adoption of a new ‘safety focused’ culture within the industry: for example, through the promotion of ‘marine safety champions’ or the development of capabilities to ensure that safety regulations are adopted.
- Behaviour, understanding and influencing: for example, to understand the inhibitors and motivators for behaviour change in relation to industry safety.
- Coordination and communication: to ensure all FRDC marine safety projects are linked and collaborate effectively, and will establish a process for collecting and reporting statistics on marine safety and welfare.
Key resources
- SeaSafe
- Fish Safe Australia
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
- Safe Work Australia
- Women In Seafood Australasia – Project Regard
- Stay Afloat Initiative
- Rural Safety and Health Alliance
- AgriFutures Australia
- Seafish (UK)
- Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) – Safety for fishermen
- Beyond Blue
- Fishing for safety- Southern Rock Lobster
Key publications
- FRDC Mental Health RD&E Workshop – Mental Health in Fisheries and Aquaculture: Making a positive difference (21 Sept 2018)
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Ireland) Fishermen's Health Manual
- FISH Vol 26 number 4 Fisher wellbeing in focus
- FISH Vol 26 number 3 Five minutes to a safer workplace
- FISH Vol 26 number 2 Fisher takes on ocean workplace safety
- FISH Vol 25 number 3 Working solo on the water is risky
- FISH Vol 24 number 4 Trial tailors safety gear for northern fishers
- FISH Vol 24 number 2 Fisher experiences help align safety regulations
- FISH Vol 23 number 1 National approach to unify onboard safety efforts
