The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) said the investment’s goal was ambitious  – zero deaths, an 80 per cent reduction in injuries and 100 per cent compliance with safety regulations.

Workplace fatalities in fishing and aquaculture have averaged five a year for the past five years, making the sector the most dangerous in Australia – 25 times more dangerous than mining or construction (based on fatalities per thousand workers).

The project, led by Tanya Adams of Taylored Health and Safety Pty Ltd, will provide the industry with a tool kit to assist with the implementation of the existing safety regulations. This will be done by building capability, as well as providing training.

This research will also audit all existing health and safety current and past marine safety studies and ensure the results are linked in a cohesive set of actions the industry can take.

The corporation's executive director Dr Patrick Hone said it hoped to halve the number of fatalities and accidents by 2023.

“Over the past year the FRDC’s own internal policies have made wearing life jackets or personal flotation devices mandatory for all FRDC staff and all those working on FRDC projects while on board vessels,” a spokesperson said. 

“Through investing in knowledge, innovation, and marketing aims to increase economic, social and environmental benefits for Australian fishing and aquaculture, and the wider community.

“The FRDC is a co-funded partnership between its two stakeholders, the Australian Government and the fishing and aquaculture sectors.”

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