Working in the seafood industry can be demanding—with long hours, physical work, and unpredictable conditions—so keeping stress in check is essential. The Stairway of Stress is a straightforward, practical guide designed to help you understand and manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. It breaks stress down into five stages—Visiting, Overstaying, Settling In, Taking Over, and Ruling—each showing how stress can gradually build, from minor irritations and tiredness to serious impacts like sleep problems, health issues, and feeling out of control. By identifying where you are on the stairway, you can take early, effective action—like taking a break, setting small goals, or having a yarn with a mate—before stress starts to take over. If it does start to settle in, the guide encourages more focused steps, such as acknowledging the issue, taking a health day, or reaching out for support. And if stress feels like it’s ruling your life, it’s time to talk to a GP, counsellor, or support service. Just like safety gear protects you on deck, this guide gives you the tools to look after your mental wellbeing—helping you stay steady through the ups and downs of the job.

For those of us in the seafood industry we understand the work can often be physically tough and mentally draining, especially during long seasons and high-pressure times, which is why looking after your mental health is just as important as staying safe on the job. The Stay Afloat Depression and Anxiety Resource is a practical, confidential guide designed to help people in the seafood sector spot the signs of anxiety and depression early and take steps to manage them. With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing mental health challenges, it’s something many of us face—but too often ignore. This resource helps you recognise when stress, sadness, or anxiety start lasting more than a few weeks—signs like constant fatigue, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, feeling down, or struggling to focus. It encourages reflection on your emotional and physical wellbeing, and offers practical tips like improving sleep, eating well, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and staying connected with others. If things feel overwhelming, the guide highlights how and where to get support, including private, confidential helplines and online services for those in remote or isolated areas. Just like maintaining your gear, taking care of your mental health is part of staying strong and steady—on and off the water.

Working in the seafood industry often means long hours, physical demands, and tough conditions, making fatigue a common—but serious—challenge that can impact both your safety and mental wellbeing. Fatigue, Rest and How You Can Stay Afloat is a practical resource designed to help you recognise when tiredness becomes more than just needing a nap. Fatigue can be physical or mental exhaustion and is often linked to stress, anxiety, grief, or depression, all of which can leave you feeling drained and unfocused. The guide highlights how fatigue can slow reaction times, cloud judgment, and increase the risk of accidents—especially dangerous in high-risk work like fishing or processing. It offers practical tips to manage fatigue on the job, such as taking short naps before shifts, using bright lights, getting some exercise, and checking in with your crew to stay mentally alert. For better sleep off the clock, the guide recommends winding down with calming routines, cutting screen time, limiting caffeine, and seeking medical support if tiredness doesn’t go away. By understanding the signs and taking steps to rest and recharge, you can protect both your physical safety and mental health—because in this industry, staying alert means staying afloat.