05/06/2026
Fish on!! 🐟
A group of licensed fishers and deckhands of the Lakes and Coorong Fishery participated in a TAFE course for their Coxswain grade 1 qualification Over the past 4 weeks.
The Southern Fishermans Association secured funding to make this course free of charge, saving thousands of dollars per person. They just had to get to Murray Bridge each day and have to complete a first aid course . Obviously not a lot of fishing was happening while this was going on But it will pay dividends in the future by complying with The Australian Maritime safety Authority requirements.
Normally this course would cost:
Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal
MAR20324 – Certificate II in Maritime Operations $5390
Shipboard Safety
MARSS00008 – Skill Set $1120
2026 Marine Radio Operator’s VHF & HF Skill Set
MARSS00010 – Skill Set$350
Total cost $6860
While there are some subsidies available it is unclear whether many would qualify individually
So hats off to those that took time off fishing to complete their course Which gives them a qualification for the future regardless of whether they stay in the fishery.
