Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people from all sectors of the seafood industry are encouraged to apply for the 2018 National Seafood Industry Leadership Program.

The Program is designed for people wanting to develop their leadership skills, and focuses on giving participants the right tools and understanding to make a positive impact on their own future, the future of their businesses and the future of the Australian Seafood Industry.

The 2018 program will be delivered over six months through three one-week residential sessions.

Mabuyag resident Flora Warrior and the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Charles David are the most recent local graduates of the program.

They join over 100 other graduates from around Australia of all ages and from all sectors of the industry.

Flora and Charles worked with other participants on the 2017 course to craft a national strategic vision for the Australian Seafood Industry, presenting this vision to representatives from a range of organisations, seafood industry bodies and seafood businesses.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, congratulated Flora and Charles and said the TSRA is committed to supporting people from the region to develop the skills that this program has to offer.

“We are now looking to support a further two Torres Strait participants with sponsorships to join the Program in 2018,” Mr Stephen said.

“Graduates will return to the Torres Strait with fresh ideas on ways to promote and enhance the commercial opportunities of Torres Strait fishing businesses as the region heads towards 100 per cent ownership of Torres Strait Fisheries.”

Applications are now open and close on 15 January 2018 and are to be sent directly to Rural Training Initiative Pty Ltd who deliver this program for the Fisheries Research Development Corporation.

Expression of interest packages can be found online at: http://www.ruraltraininginitiatives.com.au/home/programs/seafood.

For more information on the Seafood Industries Leadership Program, please contact Ms Jill Briggs on 0409 455 710 or by email jill@ruraltraininginitiatives.com.au.

For more information on eligibility for TSRA sponsorship, contact Ms Mariana Nahas on 4069 0700 or by email fisheries@tsra.gov.au.