Not all of our community are okay – and that’s not okay.

There are over 100 Seafood Communities around Australia

Our first goal is to achieve 50 Stay Afloat Communities and up to 100 Trusted Advocates. Ultimately the program will offer support to every member of the Commercial Seafood Community across Australia through our “by industry, for industry” model. 

The Trusted Advocates network is a wonderful supportive place for those who care for the wellbeing of those around them.  Trusted Advocates will provide a listening ear, promote wellbeing and help guide people towards the resources available through Stay Afloat and in their local area.  For more on being a Trusted Advocate – click here. 

Trusted Advocates are locals who are there to support by:

  • Having a chat – sometimes we all need an ear, and your trusted advocates know and understand the pressures you’re facing.
  • Sharing tips on wellness and stress management;
  • Helping you to connect with professional support;
  • Educating your local healthcare providers on local industry challenges so they’ll understand what you’re up against if you reach out for help.
  • Support our Trusted Advocate network and Focus Communities.

Attend local events and activities that foster human connection and wellbeing with the support of funding from our Community Resilience Fund.

NSW
Bermagui, NSW Abalone disease, access, reform
Merimbula, NSW Abalone disease, access, reform, Bushfires, Offshore drilling
Yamba, NSW White Spot, Historical Reform, Floods
Sydney, NSW Reductions in licenses, SFM moving, aged workforce
Wollongong, NSW Historical reform, large number of industry members, Oysters
Tathra, NSW Historical reform, large number of industry members, Oysters Floods
Bateman’s Bay, NSW Historical reform, large number of industry members, Oysters Floods
Ulladulla, NSW Historical reform, large number of industry members, Large Tuna Fleet, Oysters FloodsRocky – co-op
Nelson Bay, NSW Historial reform , large population, Oysters, Floods
Newcastle, NSW Historial reform, oysters floods, wind farms
Wallis Lakes, NSW Historial reform, oysters floods, wind farms
Ballina, NSW Historial reform, oysters floods, wind farms
Port Macquarie, NSW Historial reform, oysters floods, wind farms
Coffs Harbour, NSW Historial reform, oysters floods, wind farms
Maclean, NSW Historical reforms, intra-industry challenges, Floods Oysters
Eden, NSW Historical reforms, intra-industr challenges, Abalone – industry hard to track down.  Often unload in other ports.
Tea Gardens, NSW Very small depot – part of Newcastle.  Have had some activity already
Tacoma, NSW Very small depot – part of Newcastle.  Have had some activity already
VIC
Port Fairy, VIC Abalone disease – historical and current
Port Fairy, VIC Abalone disease – historical and current
Warrnambool, VIC Abalone disease – historical and potential current
Apollo Bay, VIC Abalone disease – historical and potential current
Melbourne, VIC Port Phillip Bay fishery closures / reforms
Lakes Entrance, VIC Gippsland Lakes fishery closure, seismic testing, bushfires
Mallacoota, VIC Abalone disease, bushfires, seismic testing
Port Welshpool, VIC Part of Corner Inlet fishery with Port Albert And Port Franklin. Last inshore net fishery, which makes them vulnerable to recreational conflict and there is conflict within the fishery itself. 
Port Welshpool, VIC Part of Corner Inlet fishery with Port Albert And Port Franklin. Last inshore net fishery, which makes them vulnerable to recreational conflict and there is conflict within the fishery itself. 
Portland, VIC Abalone disease, seismic testing
Portland, VIC Abalone disease, seismic testing
Port Campbell, VIC Quota/other reforms; Abalone disease
San Remo , VIC Quota/other reforms – historical changes intra community issues
San Remo , VIC Quota/other reforms – historical changes intra community issues
Port Albert, VIC As per Port Welshpool
Port Franklin, VIC As per Port Welshpool
The Bellarine (spread over a number of small towns), VIC Historical market / industry reductions
The Bellarine (spread over a number of small towns), VIC Historical market / industry reductions
Mornington Peninsula (also several towns), VIC Abalone issues, Port Phillip bay reforms
Mornington Peninsula (also several towns), VIC Abalone issues, Port Phillip bay reforms
WA
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Esperance, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Albany, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Denmark, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Augusta, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty
Dunsborough-Busselton, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty.  Lobster trade and COVID issues – ongoing uncertainty
Bunbury, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty.  Lobster trade and COVID issues – ongoing uncertainty
Mandurah, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty.  Lobster trade and COVID issues – ongoing uncertainty
Fremantle, WA Reduction in access to marine parks.  Long term uncertainty.  Lobster trade and COVID issues – ongoing uncertainty
Cervantes, WA Lobster trade (China / COVID). Major issues with losing access to marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.
Geraldton, WA Lobster trade (China / COVID).  Major issues with losing access to marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.
Hopetoun, WA Loss of marine park access.  Diverse license holding, but that leaves uncertainty in a range of areas.
Bremer Bay, WA Loss of marine park access.  Diverse license holding, but that leaves uncertainty in a range of areas.
Lancelin, WA Major issues with losing access to marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast. 
Carnarvon, WA Major issues with environmental variations (heatwaves), losing access to recreational fishing, marine park imposts within Shark Bay and on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.  Isolated area – limited access to support
Exmouth, WA Major issues with losing access to marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.  
Karratha / Dampier / Point Samson, WA Major issues with losing access to oil and gas infrastructure, seismic testing, marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.
Port Hedland, WA Small fishing fleet – up to 5 vessels. Major issues with losing access to oil and gas infrastructure, seismic testing, marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.  Access and support a challenge
Broome, WA Major issues with losing access to oil and gas infrastructure, seismic testing, marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.
Wyndham, WA Major issues with losing access to oil and gas infrastructure, seismic testing, marine park imposts on West Coast and renewable energy proposal on West coast.  Access and support a challenge
Windy Harbour, WA Small Fleet – conditions currently robust.  Uncertainty around marine parks
Horrocks, WA Small fishery – mainly lobster.  Historical lobster issues, ongoing uncertainty in other small fisheries
SA
Port Macdonnell, SA Market changes – Lobster / export, long term uncertainty, COVID, Offshore Wind farms (Renewable energy proposals)
Robe/Kingston/Beachport, SA Market changes – Lobster / export, long term uncertainty, COVID,                    
Port Adelaide, SA Historical reforms, boat / catch regulation changes, Snapper closure
Port Lincoln, SA Uncertainty, large industry population, De-Salination plant proposal, 
Coffin Bay, SA Risks/disease to Oysters, uncertainty, Snapper closure
Streaky Bay, SA Risks/disease to Oysters, uncertainty, Snapper closure
Meningie, SA Uncertainty, floods, legacy river issues, uptake, Fur Seal interactions
Goolwa/Victor Harbor, SA E Coli closures (SASQAP), 
Kingscote, SA Kangaroo Island – Fires, markets, snapper closure, Marine Parks – Inshore netting to be removed
Wallaroo/Port Broughton, SA Oyster disease risk, historical reform, fires, snapper closure
Point Turton/Stansbury, SA Oyster disease risk, historical reform, fires, snapper closure
Cowell/Arno Bay, SA Oyster disease risk, historical reform, fires, snapper closure
Port Wakefield, SA Very small port, Snapper closure
Port Pirie, SA Heavy Metal Toxicity closures and restrictions (Carolyn Lewis SA Health), Snapper closure
Port Kenny/Venus Bay, SA Very Small Port, Environmental volatility (La Nina – El Nino)
Smokey Bay, SA Risks/disease to Oysters, uncertainty, Snapper closure
Ceduna, SA Snapper Closure
NT
Darwin, NT Major issues with losing access to marine park imposts in NT, Native title rights inter-tidal area, recreational fishing, environmental impacts.  
Maningrida, NT Small community – unknown detail
Elizabeth Bay/ Nhulunbuy, NT Potential changes to Spanish mackarel, prawn markets, as well as Darwin issues.  Culturally appropriate support.
Borroloola, NT Small community – unknown detail
TAS
King Island, TAS Historical Rock lobster, ongoing uncertainty, access to support and capacity building, increased red tape. Uncertainty around current scale fish review
Flinders Island, TAS Small community – uncertainty around Marine park review and potential wind farming. Scale Fish review uncertainty.
Smithton, TAS Abalone access, qouta, seismic testing
Stanley, TAS Abalone access, qouta, seismic testing – very small community. Scale fish review
Devenport, TAS Scallops and Abalone impacted by Seismic testing.  Historical Rock lobster, ongoing uncertainty around access particularly relating to Bass Strait Marine Park review.  Aquaculture buy-outs by large off-shore companies.  Scale fish review
Launceston, TAS Aquaculture impacts – buy-outs affecting existing employees, job security combined with poor public attitude/perception around Aquaculture practices and impacts. 
Bridport, TAS Rock Lobster historical issues and uncertainty, poss Marine Park review impacts to a few.  Scale fish review
St Helens, TAS Signficant community, rock Lobster historical issues and uncertainty, poss Marine Park review impacts to some
Bicheno, TAS Scale fish reviews – current – all scale fish
Triabunna, TAS Signficant community, rock Lobster historical issues and uncertainty, poss Marine Park review impacts to some
Dunalley, TAS Small rock lobster community.  Aquaculture impacts, scalefish reform uncertainty
Nubeena, TAS Small rock lobster community.  Aquaculture impacts, scalefish reform uncertainty
Hobart, TAS Scale fish reform uncertainty, Aquaculture impacts – buy-outs affecting existing employees, job security combined with poor public attitude/perception around Aquaculture practices and impacts.  Historical Lobster issues and ongoing uncertainty, Scallop and Abalone markets impacted by Seismic testing.  
Strahan, TAS Aquaculture impacts – buy-outs affecting existing employees, job security combined with poor public attitude/perception around Aquaculture practices and impacts.  Rock lobster history.  Scale fish reform uncertainty.
QLD
Mooloolaba, QLD Reform impacts – current, export/market challenges.
Moreton Bay, QLD Long term uncertainthy and reform – Great Barrier reef health, quota and sustainability in various fisheries
Brisbane, QLD Long term uncertainthy and reform
Townsville, QLD Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Karumba, QLD Isolation, uncertainty, lack of education, long periods at sea
Cairns, QLD Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Hervey Bay, QLD Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Gold Coast, QLD Long term uncertainthy and reform, large industry population
Mackay, QLD Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Other
Cooktown Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Torres Strait / Thursday Island Predominantly First Nations – potential future issues around access and business structures 
Rockhampton Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure
Prosperpine Historical uncertainty and reform burnout.  All issues pertaining to Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks, Spanish Mackarel quota reductions, Gillnet closure

Feeling blue?

You’re not alone.

Studies have shown that people in our industry experience mental health problems at twice the base rate of the general population; and almost half of those who reported problems hadn’t reached out for help because they thought no one would understand the pressures of the industry – but, we’re here to make sure they do.

As part of the Stay Afloat Australia mental health program, we’re educating healthcare workers about the Australian seafood industry, its operations and its stressors. We’re also helping them understand the history of commercial fishing in the region by providing them with resources to learn a little more about the local industry and what the life of a fisher is like.

We know better than anyone that the pressures facing the seafood industry are unique, and the stressors facing workers can vary right down to the community you work in, the fishery in which you operate, or the farm you work on. Whether you’re a long line or estuary fisher, work in the wild catch, aquaculture or post-harvest sector, you each have challenges, and that’s even before the weather changes. Our industry is unique, and we want to ensure that people understand that.