AFMA staff member Katie Scutt joined 15 other future leaders to participate in the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program. The program is the only national industry specific leadership program which is designed to help people take up leadership roles in the seafood industry.
Participants gathered from all over Australia for the 8 month program, and were drawn from indigenous, recreational, aquaculture, research, policy and wild catch sectors of the seafood industry.
The program was split over three residential courses in Fremantle, Sydney and Canberra. The participants spent time developing leadership skills and techniques, visiting key industry organisations such as Sydney Fish Market, meeting with national leaders and developing nationally significant strategies to move the industry forward. The final residential was in Canberra, where participants met with decision makers to discuss the future of the industry and the way forward on improving opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between the different sectors and the Government.
The group carried out an industry survey which indicates that more than 70% of seafood community members surveyed identify a need for increased cross-sector co-operation.
“I wouldn’t say it has been easy, but what we’ve learned is that it is not impossible, and when you can put the time towards bringing everyone together the rewards of that cooperation are more than worth it” said Matt Gillett of RecFish West.
The 2013 class graduated on 7th November in Canberra, with the final presentation of their vision and mission to national leaders including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Sydney Fish Market, Oceanwatch and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
The National Seafood Industry Leadership Program is an ongoing project funded by the Australian government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation with sponsorship from the Sydney Fish Market.
For further information, contact Katie Scutt (02 6225 5520 or katie.scutt@afma.gov.au) or Jill Briggs of Rural Training initiatives (0409 455 710).