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The latest data for the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shows that Victoria's fisheries produced a total of 5682 tonnes with a wholesale market value of $75 million (2006/07). Most of the commercial catch was generated from coastal waters with Victoria's bay and inlets producing a proportion of the total.
In 2006/07 the DPI issued 816 commercial fishery access licenses. This can be represented in:
- coastal marine waters (690)
- bay and inlets (96) and
- freshwater bait (30)
Victorian waters can be futher broken down into classes of licenses that include:
- abalone (71)
- rocklobster (132)
- giant crab (37)
- scallop (91)
- inshore trawl (60)
- wrasse (27)
- purse seine (1)
- bait (7) and
- general ocean fisheries (266)
More than 122 different species were harvested of molluscs, crustaceans, cephalopods, echinoderms, polychaetes, teleosts and elasmobranchs. In the 2006/07 harvest year Victoria's commercial catch consisted mainly of marine scalefish with most of the other catch value attributted to molluscs and crustaceans. In marine fisheries the blacklip abalone is the most valuable accounting for the majority of the catch and production value of molluscs.
Rocklobster is Victoria's second most valuble fishery and is the also the majority of catch and production value for crustaceans. Commercial fishing in inlands Victorian waters is minimal if not ceased, except for the eel, carp and bait fisheries that produced a wholesale value of $1 million in 2006/07.
Careers in Fishing
Today's fishers operate in a changing environment, with attention to food quality and safety and meeting strict environment standards. People working in the wild catch sector of the seafood industry operate on fishing vessels that vary from small one-person boats to larger ocean-going vessels with crews of up to fifteen. All crewmembers must work as a team, sometimes under difficult conditions. Fishing voyages can last from one day to several weeks or longer. Fishers perform a variety of tasks and use a variety of fishing techniques depending on the species being caught and the habitat.
What kinds of jobs are there?
Deckhand and/or deckhand assistant
This is the starting point of a career in commercial fishing and a deckie's work could involve helping to set lines, nets or pots, operating winches, sorting, filleting, skinning and packing the catch. Most deckhand work requires good level of fitness.
Senior deckhand - Fishing Operations.
This person can operate a small fishing vessel or provide support to the skipper of a large vessel. In addition to performing all the duties of a deckhand, such as setting nets, lines and pots, the senior deckhand has responsibility for watch keeping and navigation. Many people at this level would hold a Coxswain's ticket or licence.*
Master fisherman
The master fisherman is generally in charge of the vessel, which can be worth anything from a few thousand dollars to a few million dollars. The work involves maritime skills such as navigating and steering a vessel and fishing skills such as locating, catching and storing fish. The Master Fisherman will also have considerable responsibility for the safety of the crew and the vessel. Many people at this level will hold a Skipper's ticket or licence.
Fishing operations manager
This person is likely to work on a large fishing vessel or for a large company. The fishing operations manager will have the overall responsibility for the vessel and the crew and for the success of the fishing voyage.
Marine Engine Driver (MED)
A MED is in charge of machinery and engines on seagoing fishing vessels. The work involves a wide variety of maintenance tasks and training includes diesel or refrigeration mechanics combined with time at sea. *
Fishing charter operator
As well as having skills in fishing and handling fishing vessels, charter operators must also be able to plan a fishing charter trip and attract and keep their customers happy! Charter operators may operate short half day or day trips, or specialise in longer trips lasting several days (or even weeks).
*You should contact your local Marine Authority for information about these tickets.
Qualifications
Vocational qualifications in fishing operations are available from Certificate I to Diploma.
There are two qualifications for Fishing Charter Operations - Certificate III and Diploma.
The wide range of electives within each qualification means that every qualification can be designed to meet the particular needs and interests of employers and trainees.
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Career in Seafood Processing
Seafood processing is a vital part of the seafood chain, making sure that our seafood harvest is safe and great to eat.
Seafood processing can involve:
- Cleaning, filleting and cutting fin fish
- Smoking Atlantic Salmon and other seafood
- Marinating seafood and preparing seafood mixes
- Preparing sashimi-grade fish, such as tuna
- Freezing fish and other seafood
- Preparing shaped & crumbed products such as fish fingers, from fresh or frozen blocks
- Opening oysters and other shell fish
- Grading and boiling prawns and other crustaceans
- Developing new products and packaging for the seafood industry.
What kinds of jobs are there?
Seafood processing assistant
For many people this is the entry to a career in seafood processing. Typical work would involve cleaning and filleting fish, moving stock, putting ice on seafood and tidying the premises, work areas and equipment.
Seafood processing worker
A worker at this level could be involved in filleting fish, opening oysters and other shellfish, grading and sorting prawns as well as moving stock, controlling the temperature of seafood, and cleaning and tidying the premises, work areas and equipment.
Seafood processing leading hand
Someone working at this level could be a specialist, for example, in processing crocodiles, handling and packing sashimi grade fish, or boiling prawns and other crustaceans. Seafood processing leading hand would also supervise other employees and monitor food safety and occupational health and safety.
Qualifications
Vocational qualifications in seafood processing are available from Certificate I to Diploma.
The wide range of electives within each qualification means that every qualification can be designed to meet the particular needs and interests of employers and trainees.
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A Career in Sales and Distribution
Retailers in the Seafood Industry sell fresh, frozen and live seafood. Employees could be involved in preparing and cooking seafood for sale in a specialist seafood shop or working in the seafood section of a larger store or supermarket. Retail seafood sales people need to know about the seafood they are selling - correct marketing names of species, seasonality of the seafood, potential food safety hazards, shelf life of raw materials, presentation of seafood products, handling, wrapping and packaging, and cooking methods.
Additionally, retail seafood sales people require both knowledge and skills associated with hygienic handling of precooked, cooked and raw seafood together with an understanding of the suitability of different cooking methods for species sold.
What sort of work do people do?
Retail seafood salesperson
Most people working in retail seafood sales will be employed at this level and are likely to be:
- serving customers and helping them to choose suitable seafood and giving advice on appropriate cooking methods,
- setting up and maintaining seafood displays using hygienic and temperature-controlled processes to make sure seafood is kept fresh and to prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked products,
- processing seafood for example by filleting, cutting portions, marinating, making kebabs,
- cleaning the workplace and using cleaning chemicals safely,
- weighing, handling, wrapping and packaging the seafood,
- assessing seafood freshness and suitability as a 'cook to order' item and cooking fish.
Retail seafood sales supervisor
Larger shops and stores may also employ sales supervisors who, as well as doing similar work to sales staff, will supervise and coach other staff, and assist the sales manager with merchandising and buying seafood product for sale in the shop or store.
Retail seafood sales manager
This person would take overall responsibility for the seafood sales operation and staff and would negotiate the purchase of seafood product for sale in the store. The retail seafood sales manager would also manage occupational health and safety and food hygiene and safety responsibilities.
Qualifications
Vocational qualifications in retail seafood sales are available from Certificate II to Certificate IV.
The wide range of electives within each qualification means that every qualification can be designed to meet the particular needs and interests of employers and trainees
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A Career in Aquaculture
Aquaculture operations are carried out on land and in marine environments. Different species are grown in different regions of Australia, depending on climate and other conditions. Land-based farms can involve hatchery, nursery and grow out operations and cover finfish, crustaceans, algae and some shellfish. Marine farms have traditionally grown oysters and mussels (for food or pearls) but more recently, new marine farms have been established to grow out various finfish, especially salmon and tuna, in sea cages
What sorts of jobs are there?
Work in aquaculture operations can be very varied - working with a particular species can require specialised knowledge and skills and, as well, there are other sorts of tasks to be done, such as managing the office, marketing the seafood product and operating and maintaining vehicles and small boats.
Aquaculture production hands
Most employees are general hands. The duties can be varied and on land-based operations involve cleaning tanks and ponds, feeding, pipe and pump maintenance, general construction, harvesting and packing of stock.
Most marine operations are serviced by small vessels and involve tasks such as handling small boat, feeding stock, maintaining sea cages, diving, gathering stock and packing.
Aquaculture specialists
Many aquaculture operations will employ a specialist, for example to check on the quality of the water and the growth and health of the seafood stocks. Much of this work involves taking samples for laboratory analysis and assessing the health and quality of the whole aquaculture operation.
Aquaculture managers
All aquaculture operations will have a manager or manager/owner who is responsible for managing the operations and developing markets for the seafood product.
The particular work done in these jobs will vary considerably, often depending on the size of the operation. In larger operations, there is often an office with clerical support staff; in smaller operations, the manager or owner does much of the administration.
Qualifications
Vocational qualifications in aquaculture are available from Certificate I to Diploma.
The wide range of electives within each qualification means that every qualification can be designed to meet the particular needs and interests of employers and trainees.
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A Career as a Fisheries Officer
Fisheries Officers or Fisheries Compliance Officers are responsible for the proper management, conservation and preservation of the fishing resources in each State/Territory of Australia, by ensuring they are not endangered or over- exploited. The duties of Fisheries Officers vary greatly across the states. The type of work that they do often depends on the size and type of commercial fishing and aquaculture industries in their district. The officers may also serve as fisheries observers on naval patrol boats or they may be responsible for wildlife protection. In some states, the Fisheries Officers are also responsible for enforcing the laws relating to boating in marine parks and protected zones.
What kinds of tasks do they perform?
Fisheries Officers patrol and investigate waterways for unlawful fishing activities and enforce relevant laws and regulations. They monitor protected marine life and habitats and inspect fishing vessels, fishing gear to ensure compliance. They liaise with industry on fishing regulations and license renewals and check that fish are sold through legal markets and that fish markets do not sell undersize fish.
It is their duty to investigate and report on alleged breaches of legislation and provide evidence in court and promote and provide education on fisheries resource management programs and policies.
Senior Fisheries Officers and Fisheries Managers are responsible for supervising and coaching other staff. They represent their organisation at public and government events and activities
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