Good, bad or ugly: all a matter of perspective?

Abstract

Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) is the national peak body that represents the Australian seafood industry as a whole, including members from wild catch, aquaculture and post-harvest sectors. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the fishing and petroleum industries represent a combined contribution to the Australian economy of ~AU$28.5 billion (in 2015–2016) and employ (directly and indirectly) over 55 000 Australians.¹ At times, our industries’ interests have competed. However, we recognise that we can unlock value for the economy, and those who work in our industries, by finding effective ways to work together. In 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between five commercial fishing and seafood industry associations and APPEA. This MOU committed to the core principles of improved cooperation, open communication and stronger consultation. There is significant benefit for both industries in learning how to improve shared access to marine resources, whether at the early stages of petroleum activities (e.g. seismic) or at the end of an asset’s life (e.g. decommissioning). This presentation will look at efforts to improve relationships between our two industries and make observations about potential ways forward.