24 November 2009
DAFF09/357B

The Rudd Government will boost its support to the Australian seafood industry with an injection of $2.6 million for environmental management.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke, said the funding would employ SeaNet extension officers to provide environmental advice to commercial fishers and seafood farmers over the next four years.

“Australia’s seafood industry is dedicated to best practice and is recognised as world leaders in sustainable fisheries management,” Mr Burke said.

“Known as the Landcarers of the sea, SeaNet officers have been working with industry providing knowledge and improving skills in managing the resources our seas and oceans provide.”

“SeaNet officers help build on the work that fishers do every day in managing our fisheries resources sustainably.”

SeaNet work closely with industry to reduce the impacts from fishing on protected and high-risk species by aiming to minimise the catch of non-target species (bycatch).

SeaNet has been operating for more than 10 years under OceanWatch and has worked face-to-face with more than 7000 fishers in 135 fisheries around Australia.

OceanWatch, in partnership with researchers, seafood industry associations and government agencies, works with commercial seafood producers, managers and the community to develop new technology and guidelines to move Australia towards world’s best practice in the seafood industry.

“This new Australian Government funding for SeaNet will help improve uptake of sustainable practices across the fishing industry, such as the National biofouling management guidelines for commercial fishing vessels,” Mr Burke said.

“Preventing biofouling, the growth of marine organisms on underwater surfaces such as vessel hulls, has dual benefits.

“It reduces marine pest invasions in fishing grounds and fishing ports while also delivering significant cuts in fuel consumption.”