W.A. Primary Industries Training Council Inc.

Primary Industries Training Council Inc. - Fishing

Fishing

Opportunities for seasonal employment exist within the fishing industry in Western Australia. Industries include Pearling, Western Rock Lobster, Prawn, Abalone and various finfish.

The Pearling industry involves pearl oyster fishing and the growing out of oysters in aquaculture systems for the production of cultured round pearls. Based in Northern Western Australia, work available can include: diving for pearl oysters, diving on pearl farms, supervisory roles across the several levels of the production process, deckhand, oyster cleaning, equipment manufacture, pearl grading and research.

The Western Rock Lobster industry operates from November through to the end of June. Vessels set and retrieve baited lobster pots daily; however, this is weather dependant. They generally leave port very early in the morning and are back in port in the afternoon. There is usuall one day off each week - Sunday, but there are periods in each season where fishing is stopped for sustainability and management reasons, ususally around the full moon and/or in Janaury.The onboard routine involves retrieving pots, removing the catch, re-baiting the pots and setting them again.

The prawn and scallop Trawl industries operate predominantly in Exmouth and Shark Bay; however, some boats can operate from the Abrolhos Islands in the south to the Kimberley region in the north. The season runs from March to October each year with the majority of vessels working at night, delivering their catch to on-shore processing facilities every morning. Some vessels can process and store their catch on-board, only returning to shore when there is a need to off-load. Prawn vessels will generally not work around the time of the full moon each month when shell quality is poor due to the molting process, efectively giving crews an extended rest break of approximately a week to ten days each month.

Fishing for finifish is deversified in practice and region. the Great Southern region boasts logline, wet line and beach seine fishing, whereas the northern regions are predominantly wet line, fish-trap and trawl. The exception to this would be the indigenous net and crab fishermen of Shark Bay where there are exceptional opportunities for inexperienced crew to gain valuable skills in a relatively inshore protected environment. These fisheries tend to work at any time of the year dependent upon favourable weather conditions.

Work requirements

Some positions in the pearling industry such as divers and boat skippers will require qualifications. Deckhands or crew are generally not required to have qualifications, although for inexperienced crew, it is advisable to complete a deckhand course at your local TAFE college or private registered training organisation. There are specialist Maritime TAFE colleges in Perth Geraldton and Broome.

The lobster industry provides some onboard training on safety protocols and legal requirements for the retained catch, as there is a minimum legal size and protection for breeding females in the fishery. The ability to work at sea, previous work in the marine environment, knowledge of marine safety and an understanding of vessels is preferable but not essential. The lobster pots are large and a certain physical strength, endurance and fitness is requried.

There are several different contractual arrangements used in the fishing industry as payment. A majority of the arrangements are based on a percentage of the catch but, more recently, there are positions available based on a wage.

It is important to ensure you are eligible to work in Australia, and have obtained an Australian Tax File Number. Contact the Department of Immigration & Citizenship www.immi.gov.au the Australian Taxation Office www.ato.gov.au or the Australian WorkPlace site www.workplace.gov.au for further information on working in Australia.

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Training

Most of the training required can be delivered onboard vessels, such as safety induction, but some seasonal positions within the fishing industry may require some additional training. Contact the WA Fishing Industry Council Training Officer (9244 2933) for information what training is available in Western Australia, and what training would be required for seasonal positions, or visit www.wafic.org.au

Where to find seasonal work

Job Network (To find an Australian Government Employment Service provider in your area) 13 62 68 www.jobnetwork.gov.au
The West Australian newspaper (look under R for Rural Employment) www.thewest.com.au
The Countryman, Farm Weekly or local newspapers

The Western rock Lobster Council - Jobsearch website protal 9340 5001 www.rocklobsterwa.com
The National Harvest Labour Information Service 1800 062 332 www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
Workabout Australia (02) 6884 7777 www.workaboutaustralia.com.au
Careerjet www.careerjet.com.au
The Job Shop (08) 9228 1457 www.thejobshop.com.au

Calendar of work

Region

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

South West

Great Southern/
Esperance

Perth

CLA

Midwest

LBA

LSBA

SBA

LBA

Gascoyne

TMA

TMWA

TWA

Exmouth

CPT

Pilbara/Onslow

Kimberley/Broome

CPF

A = Abalone
B = Black Pearls (Abrolhos Islands)
C = Pearl grading and equipment manufacture
L = Lobster
M = Mullet (Shark Bay)
P = Pearling
S = Scallop trawling (Abrolhos Islands)
T = Prawn Trawling
W = Whiting (Shark Bay)

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Seasonal Work Calendar
for W.A.