The Master Harvester a formal training and recognition program tailor-made for the NSW oyster industry.
The oyster industry attracts people from all backgrounds, from hobby farm retirees, to multiple-generational farmers operating across the state. Reflecting this diversity, the knowledge and professionalism of farmers varies considerably and until recently there was no purpose-built holistic training program to upskill existing farmers or those entering the industry. The OceanWatch Master Harvester Training Program plugs this gap, providing a custom-built, standardised program for oyster farmers & their staff. The program builds knowledge about best-practice, and helps to reinforce the industry's position as responsible stewards of the waterway in which they work.
The program follows a series of modules, developed to cover a broad range of information:
- Industry Reputation & Social Licence
- Industry Structures- Associations & Committees
- Aquaculture Management & Administration
- Food Safety & the QAP
- Biosecurity
- Habitat & Water Quality
- Waste & Pollution
- Threatened, Endangered, & Protected Species
- Environmental Management Systems
- Workplace Health & Safety
- Risk Management
These modules were developed in consultation with OceanWatch Australia, NSW DPI Aquaculture Management & Administration, NSW DPI Aquatic Biosecurity, NSW Food Authority, and NSW Farmers Association.
This project is supported by OceanWatch Australia through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program
Face-To-Face Training
In the second half of 2022, the training materials were delivered at nine face-to-face workshops across the state:
- Merimbula - 27th Jul 2022
- Batemans Bay - 29th Jul, 2022
- Port Stephens - 1st Aug, 2022
- Port Macquarie - 2nd Aug, 2022
- Merimbula - 11th Oct, 2022
- Nowra - 13th Oct, 2022
- Gosford - 18th Oct, 2022
- Forster - 19th Oct, 2022
- Port Macquarie - 20th Oct, 2022
The materials were developed to align with a Unit of Competency in the Seafood Industry Training Package. Participants who completed the face-to-face sessions, and were assessed to the competent in the subject matter, were provided with the VET unit SFIEMS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.
Online Training
Following the successful delivery of face-to-face training, the materials are now being converted to enable online delivery. This will enable the program to reach more farmers & staff spread across NSW. It will also be available to new entrants looking to find out more about the industry.
The online training will be available from mid January 2023. This webpage will be updated at that time.
If you have any questions about the online platform, please contact either:
Andy Myers - NSW Farmers Association - 0488 656 366 / Myersa@nswfarmers.org.au
Laura Stoltenberg - OceanWatch Australia - 0456 935 998 / Laura@oceanwatch.org.au