An Update from our Chair Harry Petropoulos: It’s been another busy quarter at Wildcatch.
With the help of our Partners, Mellor Olsson, we were able to complete and submit all relevant documentation associated with the formation and registration of our FairFish Cooperative business model. Our Pro Tem board will shortly be arranging our ‘Formation Meeting’ and once these proceedings have been completed, FairFish officially comes to life.
In the meantime, the FairFish team have been busy behind the scenes putting the finishing touches on the operating plan that will help drive the business.
WFSA Inc. has also been busy building relationships with the relevant ministers under the Marshall government. We have had meaningful dialogue on a number of threshold issues and while it is still early days, I am heartened by both the tone and the direction of these discussions.
Franca Romeo and I recently attended an FRDC-sponsored workshop on mental health in the Australian Professional Fishing Industry. This meeting was well-attended and had representation from all the relevant stakeholders including AMSA, SIA and FRDC.
WFSA Inc. is committed to providing our licence holders with access to high quality, relevant, mental health support services. Ideally, we would seek to participate in a national scheme, but if such a scheme looks like it’s going to take too long to materialise, we will structure something within our own resources.
During this period, we also met with the team at Equinor (formerly Statoil) in relation to the drilling of Stromlo 1 exploration well. While there is yet much to consider, dialogue is progressing well and the Equinor Management team seem to be taking our concerns very seriously.
Undoubtedly the most enjoyable achievement this last quarter has been the successful staging of the SA Seafood Express and Wildcatch Fisheries SA Inc Seafood Industry Dinner on the 7th of September, raising funds for Variety SA Bash. Franca, Lisa and Claire van der Geest are to be commended for putting on such a great night. As an industry, we should indeed feel proud to have been able to once again support such a fantastic cause like Variety SA.
Delivering Seafood Differently:
South Australia's Community Supported Fishery
You might have heard the news… Fair Fish SA was awarded the delicious magazine Outstanding Innovation Trophy, Presented by Miele Australia. This National Award means so much to Fair Fish whilst we prepare to launch the Community Supported Fishery from our inaugural hub at Fishing Industry House on the Dockside at Port Adelaide.
Wildcatch Fisheries SA is in the process of finalising the member co-operative formation documents which will open the gate for the Community Supported Fishery.
As soon as that happens, you’ll be able to download our app on both Android and Apple mobile devices and start receiving your weekly share of local, fresh and traceable catch that supports your regional community.
Click here to continue reading.
Mellor Olsson Update: 2018 has been a busy and exciting year for the partnership between Wildcatch Fisheries SA and Mellor Olsson. The firm is honoured to have been involved in the setting up of the Fair Fish Co-op and a review of Wildcatch’s Constitution. We have continued to act in native title matters and engage in advocacy regarding fisheries regulation and marine parks.
Click here to see the update on Changing employment standards and Drones and privacy.
Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA): On Friday 19th October 2018 WINSC announced their transformation to a new name and logo to Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA).
On that night they celebrated a wonderful milestone of 20 years of WINSC. They also inducted 20 amazing women into the Inaugural Seafood Community Roll of Honour and raised over $6,000 to establish a Lost At Sea Tragedies (LAST) foundation.
WISA have also been working to put together a video to highlight the human face of depression and anxiety in the seafood industry, and launched Project Regard last week in Adelaide at their 20th Anniversary celebrations. This video was produced in the hope to help open the discussion about poor mental health in the seafood industry.
It’s a confronting video but it comes from the heart of the industry and captures the raw courage fishers are capable of, their capacity to mobilise around an important issues, as well as the challenges they face as a community.
Seafood Industry Australia:
AMSA Update: To learn more on the updates below, click here
- AMSA delivers Domestic Commercial Vessel services
- No AMSA levy for three years
- Certificates of survey and reduced survey regime
- New AMSA UVIs
- We’re here to help
Rural Business Support: Free, independent and confidential business support to help fishers manage change.
Could your fishing business use some support to work through some business challenges? Perhaps some assistance with reviewing your business plan and setting some goals, or planning an exit strategy for your business? Are you looking for someone to talk with about where your business is heading?
Rural Business Support (RBS) can help you to be better equipped to manage change, risk and industry challenges. Its services are free to eligible clients, including fishing business owners.
Their friendly and professional staff can support you with:
- Understanding your financial position and business viability
- Preparing future projections and scenario analysis
- Preparing for bank reviews and meetings
- Completing applications
- Strategic planning when coming up to an industry exit
- Assistance with seasonal cash flow budgeting
- Business health checks
- Referrals to other support
For more information click here.
PKF Adelaide: Are you in need of an accountant or business adviser? PKF Adelaide can help. We are a national, award-winning mid-tier accounting and business advisory firm tailoring services and solutions focused on your needs.
Working in the aquaculture sector can be challenging, particularly if you do not have the right ‘partner in business.’
At PKF Adelaide we understand the needs of those within the fishing industry and the complexities of primary production – we have been working alongside clients involved in these areas for many years.
Accounting for the fishing industry is a specialist area and our experience enables us to provide you with information on concessions and assistance available through the taxation system and other government departments.
We are experienced in all aspects of management including taxation and accounting and can assist you with a number of areas including cash flow and primary production budgeting, business planning, primary production finance applications and capital purchase feasibility services and succession planning.
We have a good understanding of the issues faced by primary producers with partners and staff being either closely acquainted or directly involved in such activities themselves.
To learn more about PKF Adelaide and how we can help you and/or your business visit us at pkf.com.au or phone us on 08 8373 5588.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE - Women in Farming and Agriculture: Building on the significant developmental momentum achieved during #100daysforchange, Women & Leadership Australia is administering a national initiative to support the development of female leaders across Australia’s fisheries sector.
The initiative is providing women with grants of between $3,000 and $7,000 to enable participation in a range of leadership development programs.
The scholarship funding is provided with the specific intent of providing powerful and effective development opportunities for women in the industry; however the funding is strictly limited and has to be allocated prior to the end of 2018.
Expressions of Interest: Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form here prior to December 7, 2018.
Survey Finds Working Together is key to Marine Safety: On the heels of World Maritime Day a new survey has found that the Australian fishing industry believes safety to be very important and are doing their best within their capacity to be safe, both for themselves and their co-workers.
The study looks at the barriers to staying safe on the water and is seeking a better understanding factors influencing fishers’ perceptions of their workplace safety and culture. Click here to read more.
Capital Innovation Insurance Group: EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR SIA MEMBERS - As a member of WFSA, you are entitled to this offer.
SIA has partnered insurance brokerage firm, Capital Innovation Insurance Group (CIIG), with the aim of reducing your insurance premiums, saving you money and supporting SIA.
If CIIG is able to secure you, your business or company a new deal on your house, personal indemnity, business insurance or more, with the insurer of your choice, 50 per cent of their commission will be paid to SIA in the first year and 25 per cent of their commission every year thereafter. PLUS you'll get access to CIIG's HR suite of services for FREE, valued at $1,100.00.
To discuss your insurance needs, or for an obligation free quote or competitive comparison contact CIIG on 03 6332 2500
and mention Seafood Industry Australia.
