The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) has just invested $855,000 into SafeFish, a partnership of seafood experts assisting the industry to maintain market access.

Maintaining and enhancing market access for Australian seafood is critical for future industry growth. SafeFish.com.au provides advice to help resolve technical trade impediments, especially in relation to food safety and hygiene.

First developed by the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) with Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Council (ASCRC) funding in 2010, SafeFish now continues thanks to the FRDC’s new investment.

The project, led by SARDI’s Alison Turnbull, aims to deliver robust food safety research and advice to industry and regulators and to maintain and enhance capabilities to provide that research and advice in a cost effective, efficient and timely manner. This collaborative approach between industry, government and researchers allows for improved efficiencies to current and emerging issues within the seafood industry.

Past project successes include the implementation of rapid test kits for marine biotoxins in the shellfish industry; practical technical reports and workshops on safely extending seafood shelf-life; technical advice during seafood incidents and factsheets on food safety hazards in seafood; research to underpin appropriate food safety standards and risk management policy (e.g. viral contamination and marine biotoxins), and technical representation at Codex (the International Food Standards setting organisation) to influx the development of international food safety standards, preventing market barriers from developing.

The FRDC through investing in knowledge, innovation, and marketing aims to increase economic, social and environmental benefits for Australian fishing and aquaculture, and the wider community.

The FRDC is a co-funded partnership between its two stakeholders, the Australian Government and the fishing and aquaculture sectors.