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QLD Master Fisherman Training
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Meet some of our most recent OceanWatch Master Fisherman who have completed the Responsible Crab Fisher Workshops held in QLD in recent weeks. A total of 32 fishers from the QLD East Coast Crab Fishery have now successfully completed the training which is aimed at improving knowledge, awareness and professionalism of the sector. The training was offered through a series of 8 workshops held along the QLD east coast.
Learn more about the WetFEET program and visit the Master Fisherman website.
This project is supported by OceanWatch Australia, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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The 2022 NSW Oyster Conference was held in Batemans Bay in late May, with 270 attendees. After a 3 year hiatus due to covid it was a great opportunity for the oyster industry to reconnect. The conference was packed with an exiting program, from informative and interesting talks by researchers, to industry updates and innovations, support agencies and issues pertinent to the industry. The conference also incorporated field trips to South Coast Mariculture in Huskisson, and a tour around the Clyde River oyster sheds.
Thanks to conference sponsors Blue Harvest, NSW Farmer's Association, The National Recovery and Resilience Agency, South East Local Land Services, Rampage Marine & Pure Aquatics, the NSW Fishing Industry Training committee, Intertrade Insurance, NSW DPI, Eurobodalla Shire Council, and FlipFarm & Hexcyl, Australia's Oyster Coast (AOC), and Stay Afloat.
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Bushfire Resilience Tours
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In recent months OceanWatch has been conducting a series of bushfire resilience tours in affected catchments on the NSW south coast. Check out our video of our first tour in the Clyde River. This tour took participants on a journey upriver to see and discuss the impacts of the 2019-2020 bushfires on the aquatic environment, as well as discussing practices one can employ to minimise these impacts.
This is a Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund project through the joint Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.” Although funding for this video has been provided by both the Australian and NSW Governments, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of either government.
Find out more about our bushfire recovery work.
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The Ultimate Urchin Challenge
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OceanWatch in partnership with the NSW Abalone Association and Sydney Fish Market held the Ultimate Urchin Challenge at Sydney Seafood School in May. The event saw three chefs compete to create the "Ultimate Urchin Recipe" and win the prize of 200kg of whole urchin. Chefs Seong Mi Kim, Ludovic Poyer and Orazio D'Elia, put their skills on display to showcase the unique flavours of sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii). The event also included a presentation and Q&A with divers from the industry.
This event is part of our problem to profit initiative which supports the recovery of biodiverse, kelp dominated reef by selectively controlling urchin numbers, and encouraging the development of the sea urchin fishery.
This project is supported by OceanWatch Australia, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the NSW Abalone Association.
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The OceanWatch Master Fisherman program involves formal training and assessment for professional fishers, and supplementary development of online fisher profiles to help demonstrate individual commitment to responsible fishing practices.
The OceanWatch Master Fisherman program is continuing to raise the standard of responsible fishing in Australia. Recognised professional fishermen showcase the drive for sustainability and environmental awareness in the Australian seafood industry.
Learn more.
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Jarrod Day
Jarrod Day is a third generation professional fisher based in Port Lincoln. He started fishing in 1999 working as a deckhand in his family business. He worked as a deckhand in the tuna fishery in SA and as a sheller onboard an abalone boat. He took on the role of skipper in 2006, working for 15 years in the rock lobster fishery. Jarrod takes great pride in the seafood he produces, loves the freedom and lifestyle of being his own boss and being able to provide seafood for those who are unable to fish themselves.
Learn more
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Garry Hera-Singh
Garry first started fishing during the mid 1970’s working as a deckhand for one of his grandfathers. He became a full-time fisherman in 1984 when he invested into the industry. Garry is a proud 3rd generation fisherman on his father’s side, and a 5th generation fisherman on his mother’s side. Garry loves being his own boss and the variability in nature he witnesses each day whilst working as a fisherman.
Learn more.
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It's Plastic Free July time once again.
Plastic Free July is a personal challenge, part of a global effort to end plastic waste—for the oceans, for cleaner streets, improved health and wellbeing and for the planet. Take on the plastic free challenge this month and commit to reducing your consumption of single-use plastics.
Learn More.
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Seafood Industry Mental Health First Aid Training
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EPA uses sonar to clean up flood debris
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Great news for our flood-affected river systems, with the EPA now using sonar to locate hazardous debris in these waterways. Thanks to Professional Fishers Association chair Gary Howard who raised initial concerns about submerged flood debris in the Hawkesbury River, which then led OceanWatch with the help of the Hawkesbury professional fishers to identify the areas of concern.
Read more.
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Seafood Excellence Awards
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Sydney Fish Market held the biennial Seafood Excellence Awards in May. These awards showcase the Australian seafood industry, its value to the national economy, its professionalism, and its commitment to supplying some of the finest seafood in the world to local, national and international markets.
Geoff Blackburn, Chair of the OceanWatch board received the of the Star of the Sea Award, presented for the substantial positive difference he has made to the seafood industry. Geoff is a passionate advocate for the industry, and believes in building a better future for Australian seafood by strengthening partnerships with government, resource managers, business and local communities. He gives up much of his personal time to sit on numerous committees, advisory bodies, groups, and councils. He is a director of NSW Catcher's Trust, Coffs Harbour Fisherman's Co-op, the Professional Fisherman's Association, and has been a director on the OceanWatch board since 2003, and the Chair for 6 years.
Siobhan Threlfall, OceanWatch project officer, was the recipient of the Young Achiever Award. In her 3 years at OceanWatch she has led several projects that have connected NSW seafood industry members to their local communities, has raised the profile of seafood products nationwide, and has helped the seafood industry take charge of environmental protection.
Congratulations to all the Award winners.
Read more.
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Tangaroa Blue release monitoring methodologies to standardise citizen science data
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The Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) has released monitoring protocols for litter and marine debris. These proven methodologies have been developed in collaboration with experts from UNSW, UTAS, SCU, MU as well as the Tangaroa Blue Foundation data team. They offer a standardised approach for citizen scientists collecting this important data on a national scale.
Read more.
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The PFA is seeking a Project Officer
The NSW Professional Fisher's Association is seeking for a Project Officer to join their team in Coffs Harbour. The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Chief Executive Officer of the PFA to represent the interests of the PFA members and the commercial fishing industry of NSW. Applications close 5pm 8th July 2022.
Apply here.
Seafood Directions 2022
Registrations have opened to attend the Seafood Directions Event held in Brisbane from 13-15 September 2022.
Seafood Directions is the premier ideas, innovation and networking event for the Australian seafood industry. The national forum provides an opportunity to promote the seafood industry, discuss industry issues, workshop solutions, teach best practices, share knowledge, and plan for the future of the seafood industry.
Register here.
2022 NSW Sustainability Awards
Entries for the 2022 NSW Sustainability Awards are now open. The Awards celebrate the people and projects creating a sustainable future for NSW. Businesses, community groups, public sector organisations and individuals are invited to tell their stories of innovation, collaboration and leadership.
Entries close 8th September 2022.
Learn more.
National Landcare Conference
Registrations are now open for the 2022 National Landcare Conference to be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August. Early bird registrations ends 10th July, registration as a virtual conference delegate is FREE.
Learn more.
2022 KABNSW Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Communities Tidy Town Awards
Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KABNSW) is calling on all individuals, groups, communities, businesses, schools and councils taking positive actions to protect and enhance their local environments and community spirit.
Entries are open from April 2022 to 31 July 2022.
Learn more.
Marine NRM Coastal Directory
The Marine NRM Coastal Directory is designed to connect people and skill sets reducing silos between disciplines. This free register, publicly available on the OceanWatch website, is an easy way to engage new colleagues and extend your network, helping to fuel the growth of Australia's blue-green innovations. Key information on Researchers, Natural Resource Management Agents, and Suppliers working in the marine environment, are now accessible in one place.
Create your account or search for others
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OceanWatch relies on donations to keep our vital community and industry work running. We are a registered charity, and donations are tax deductible. A receipt for your donation will be provided when upon processing. Please give today to make a difference.
Click here to donate to OceanWatch today!
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If you have any feedback or suggestions how we can improve this publication, please let us know.
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Email: comms@oceanwatch.org.au
Phone: (02) 9660 2262
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Our Members & Shareholders
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