The Australia Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) [now Fair Work Commission] has been taking submissions regarding the award status of aquaculture, seafood processing and wild catch commercial fishing.  SETFIA is a member of the Commonwealth Fishing Association (CFA) - the CFA have been representing commercial fishing interests in general.

The key question is whether commercial wildcatch fishing should retain its award free status or be forced to be covered by a modern award.

Excellent submissions supporting maintaining award free status have been made by associations such as the WA Fishing Industry Council, Wildcatch Fisheries SA, Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, Seafood Industry Victoria, NSW Seafood Industry Council, QLD Seafood Industry Association, NT Seafood Council and the Seafood Processors and Exporters Council. 

These submissions state that extreme uncertainty of product availability, historical reward for effort, unpredictable work arrangements across 24 hour periods and the highly seasonable nature of fishing mean that the industry should stay award free.

The CFA has advised us that that at this stage FWC has accepted that the Wildcatch sector continue to be award-free. There are subsequent steps to come but it is very likely that this will be the final outcome.   This is a significant win for wildcatch commercial fishing.

The outcome for aquaculture was that a framework (not technically an award) be applied to remuneration. 

The CFA, State Associations and Aquaculture Associations have done a superb job of representing our interests and I have passed along our thanks.