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Australia’s Fishing Industry . Who’s in control of the future?. Dr Kate Brooks – Manager, FRDC Social Science Research Co-ordination Program; & Visiting Fellow – Australian National University, Canberra. This presentation. Demographics of the industry; Industry resilience
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Australia’s Fishing Industry Who’s in control of the future? Dr Kate Brooks – Manager, FRDC Social Science Research Co-ordination Program; & Visiting Fellow – Australian National University, Canberra.
This presentation.... • Demographics of the industry; • Industry resilience • Pressures on the industry; • Operational/productivity • Environmental (sustainability & climate variability) • Community perceptions influencing decisions; • Fishing in the food chain; and • Who is in control and who should be?
Industry Demographics Average age 45+ Approximately 95% male/ 5% female Married or de-facto with dependents Average of four years of high school education Represented 0.06% of Australia’s direct employment in 2006
Average Employment in Commercial Fishing Financial Years 1997 - 2008 Direct employment in Commercial Fishing = 0.06%* of all Australian employment * Source: 2006 Australian Population and Housing Census. Source: Brooks, K., (2010), “Health and Safety in the Australian Fishing Industry”, RIRDC, March , Canberra
External Pressures Productivity and profitability – access & operating costs; Coastal development/Marine Protected Areas and Marine Parks, Increasing environmental/sustainability concerns Changes to environmental flows; and Climate variability. Public Perceptions.
Resilience and change The flexibility to continue despite changes in circumstance. Resilience /Vulnerability Resilient is not infinite.
Isolation to collaboration – the next step? Nature of fishermen Solitary style of working environment Questionable comparisons to other industry collaborations to achieve community support - e.g. farmers/NFF Few with the capacity to engage in changing public perceptions;
Summary • No one is currently in control of the future of our fishing industry; • Australians need to decide if fish is to be one of our future protein source options. • The fishing industry needs to identify collaborators to help in countering misperceptions. • Governments need to engage with industry in community assurance and education: co-management approaches.
Thank you – Questions? Australia’s Fishing Industry - Who’s in control of the future? Dr Kate Brooks - Kate@kalanalysis.com.au M; 041 2 091143.