Safety Case Studies

Real Issues, real advice
Real safety improvements don’t just come from rules—they come from practical ideas that work on real vessels and in real workplaces. This collection of safety case studies showcases how seafood businesses and crews across Australia are putting safety initiatives into action to improve health, safety, and wellbeing.
From simple changes through to more comprehensive approaches, these examples highlight what has worked in practice, the challenges faced along the way, and the outcomes achieved. By sharing these experiences, we aim to support continuous improvement and encourage the adoption of practical, effective safety measures across the industry.
Explore the case studies below to see what others are doing and take away ideas you can adapt for your own operation.
Case Studies by industry for industry
Safety Hazards – Mental health
The commercial seafood industry is widely recognised for its physical hazards, but the psychological risks of long deployments and isolation are equally significant. Long periods away from home, fatigue, isolation, and pressure to perform can harm mental wellbeing, incr…
Safety Controls – Man Overboard
Michael O’Brien has spent decades working in the commercial seafood industry in northern Australia and Northern Territory, managing large trawlers that operate year-round in some of the country’s most challenging conditions. He has seen firsthand that serious incide…
Life jackets and safety culture
Brett McCallum has spent over four decades as an industry advocate within the Australian commercial seafood industry. Through senior positions, including CEO of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and the Pearling Industry Association of Australia, Brett has…



