QSIA Projects

QSIA is involved in both short and long-term projects.
The projects listed below will vary from time to time so if you have any questions regarding our project work
please contact the office on 0417 631 353.

VESSEL FOOD SAFETY & HANDLING

The Vessel Food Safety & Handling course is now live! A practical, industry-ready training program built to uplift standards across the wild-catch sector. Developed and delivered by ClearCut Seafood Training in collaboration with Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA), and funded by the Queensland Goverment, this course equips vessel owners, skippers and crew with the knowledge and confidence to consistently deliver high-quality, safe seafood.

Designed for anyone involved in handling seafood – whether you’re managing a small crew, onboarding new staff, or refreshing long-time crew members, the training combines real-world practicality with essential food-safety practices to safeguard your product, your brand and your customers.

Delivered via a flexible, self-paced online module (or remotely accessible app), it’s accessible from anywhere — even offshore. Whether you’re based in Queensland or elsewhere in Australia, you can enrol and start as soon as you’re ready.

Successful participants receive a digital certificate of completion – a clear demonstration that your vessel meets industry-leading food safety standards.

Enrol now to elevate your seafood safety, protect your brand, and set a new benchmark for quality across your team.

OCEANWATCH MASTER FISHERMAN PROGRAM - QLD FISHERS

This program was run by OceanWatch Australia (OWA) and QSIA. A series of six workshops were held.

OceanWatch Australia (OWA) is a national not-for-profit environmental organisation that works to advance sustainability in the Australian seafood industry, and Dave Schubert from OWA delivered a formal training and assessment workshop designed to equip professional fishers – starting with NX net fishers – with knowledge and skills to demonstrate their commitment to responsible and sustainable fishing practices.

The first workshop was held in Townsville with two more at Ayr and Mackay and further workshops in Gladstone, St Lawrence and Cardwell.

QSIA recommended this training in its submission to the Queensland Government regarding the operating conditions of the NX authority and it’s excellent to see this now being delivered. After one year of operation, the NX authority has proved that fishing nets can be deployed in environmentally sensitive areas with no impacts on TEPs.

This training builds on the success of the 2024 fishing year, and lifts the profile of these fishers through the OWA Master Fisherman portal. Consumers will continue to have access to iconic east coast inshore finfish, like barramundi and king threadfin, and be assured that the professional fisherman that has caught it on their behalf is exactly as the name says – ‘professional’.”

As Dave has said, the fewer than 40 operators who work in this fishery in inshore waters in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are skilled and experienced fishers, and most have worked in the industry for decades. These face-to-face training sessions are an opportunity to provide information about the latest research discoveries and practices involved in protecting the marine environment while fishing, especially safely handling interactions with what are called threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPs), such as turtles, dugong and sawfish.

It is also an opportunity to bring fishers together formally and exchange information and observations amongst the fishers themselves, so they benefit from each other’s practical experience on the water. These fishers are on the water virtually every working day and have enormous knowledge about the marine environment,

The project is funded by the Australian Government, in partnership with the Queensland Government through the Department of Primary Industries (DPIQ).

2021 EAST COAST SPANISH MACKEREL STOCK ASSESSMENT REVIEW

UPDATE – 2025

Download the 2025 Stock Assessment here.

Watch a video explaining this Stock Assessment here.

UPDATE – 30 JUNE 2023

Dr Hoyle has today released his report of his independent review of the 2021 East Coast Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment. Download your copy now!

QSIA has appointed a world leading Stock Assessor conduct a review into the 2021 East Coast Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment. This review has now started (21 May 2023).

A Review Working Committee has been established to facilitate the flow of data between fishers (commercial, charter and recreational) and the stock assessor. This Committee will represent all fishing sectors.

QSIA needs your support to fund this independent review of the stock assessment. Contact us today to receive information on how you can do this. A tax invoice and receipt will be provided for all contributions.

A report on the findings of the review is expected before the end of June 2023.

Projects