OceanWatch Australia Ltd is a national not-for-profit environmental company that works to advance sustainability in the Australian seafood industry.

OceanWatch’s key activities involve:

• enhancing fish habitats and improving water quality in estuaries and coastal environments;
• working with industry and local communities to minimise environmental impacts;
• introducing industry and communities to sustainable technologies and behaviours.

Since its establishment in 1989, OceanWatch Australia has administered a broad range of successful projects to improve environmental practices, protect threatened marine species, reduce by-catch, introduce sustainable technologies, change behaviours and restore important marine habitats.

Sydney Fish Market was instrumental in the establishment of OceanWatch Australia, as one of its foundation members, along with the NSW Fishermen’s Co-Operatives Association Ltd and the Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia. The OceanWatch head offices are located on the Sydney Fish Market site.

Since its inception, OceanWatch has received funding from its foundation members through a ‘crate levy’ on seafood traded through Sydney Fish Market’s auction. The organisation works in partnership with the Australian seafood industry, federal and state governments, natural resource managers, private enterprises, and local communities.

Since 2013, the OceanWatch Master Fisherman Program has recognised over 140 New South Wales and South Australian professional fishermen for their individual commitment to responsible and sustainable best fishing practices and environmental stewardship.

Fishers participating in the program have successfully demonstrated knowledge to implement best practice related to various aspects of their operations including;

• Seafood quality assurance,
• Bycatch reduction devices and techniques,
• Fisheries management and regulatory awareness,
• Catch reporting documentation,
• Animal welfare awareness and threatened species management,
• Marine pest management,
• Environmental habitat and marine ecosystems,
• Pollution identification and management,
• Indigenous and cultural fishing awareness,
• Workplace health and safety culture.