Australia’s fisheries management system is facing significant challenges with the resilience of small-scale operators under threat and growing pressures on the fisheries sector. New policy pathways are needed to address rising costs, climate adaptation and other cumulative pressures on industry (resource competition, market volatility, restructures, and rising operational costs).
The main purpose of this short duration (6 month) project is to identify transformational strategies that can be supported and sustained by industry and fisheries managers and provide insight into current policy reviews in progress (Nature Positive and Fish Harvest Strategy in particular).
This project is an initiative of the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) and its members, with support from two Australian government agencies/authorities (AFMA and DAFF) and Seafood Industry Australia (SIA).

This is a collaborative action research project using technical workshops and case study scenario testing to examine ‘out of the box’ management tools, such as triage capability, co-management and ecosystems approaches.
A two-day residential workshop will be undertaken to facilitate open discussion, knowledge sharing and scenario testing of alternative management approaches and adaptation options in three fisheries scenarios. The project will be supported by targeted pre and post activities to support linkages developed in the workshop and ensure practical outcomes.
The residential workshop will be a solutions-focussed, consultative event with participants asked to come prepared to collaborate and to make commitments for change. The event is aimed at CEOs, senior level fisheries managers, commercial fishers, and youth delegates. Numbers are strictly limited.