Leaders of South Australia’s fishing community have announced plans for what they call an “alternative business model” for the state’s seafood industry by devising a plan to allow area fishermen sell products to local customers.
The initiative, called Fair Fish, aims to educate consumers about the health benefits of seafood while allowing them to support local businesses. It was created by Wildcatch Fisheries SA, a nonprofit trade group for commercial fisherman in the Australian state.
As part of the project, officials plan to launch a web-based application within the next year. According to an article on AdelaideNow.com, the Australian government awarded a AUD 175,000 (USD 140,724, EUR 117,125) grant to aid in the development of the app for smartphones and computers.
“The model allows consumers to purchase a share of the day’s catch directly from local fishermen through an online platform so that they can enjoy the benefits of premium produce from their clean environment,” Fair Fish organizers said in a statement.
The direct-to-consumer function will reduce the time it takes to deliver products to customers, officials said. Depending on fishing conditions, someone in the central business district of Adelaide could get his or her order in a day or less.
Fair Fish isn’t seeking to make a profit on the venture. Rather, organizers want to ensure local fishermen receive a fair price for their products and customers get a product they can easily trace. The group won’t take a commission on sales it generates during the pilot, and Fair Fish officials said their work won’t take product away from commercial markets.
In addition to the app, Fair Fish has also helped connect fishermen and restauranteurs. Seven restaurants in Adelaide’s central business district now have a regular supply of fresh seafood as they can pick up supplies three times a week from a nearby warehouse. Fair Fish is even using its Instagram account to highlight the restaurants serving local fish and sharing the stories of the fishermen who hauled in the catch.
“Fair Fish is a good example of the way the program supports agriculture from the group upwards. The program is producer-driven and has attracted unprecedented levels of engagement,” said Lorraine Gordon, program director for Farming Together, an Australian government initiative that helps develop co-operatives and other collaborative projects.
