Bursaries provide professional development for future leaders of the Western rock lobster Industry

Western Rock Lobster is pleased to announce it has awarded ten $3,000 bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand.

The bursaries provide professional development for future leaders of the Western rock lobster Industry and target skippers and crew members who are actively engaged in fishing operations. 

CEO Matt Taylor said he was encouraged by the many strong, diverse and passionate applications received and commended all applicants on their desire to further build their capacity, knowledge and networks within the industry.

“The bursary applications illustrate our young fishers’ strong industry ambitions, drive and commitment so we are excited to be able to assist them with capacity building and professional development to help deliver benefits and security to both them personally and our industry in to the future,” he said.

“Attending the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress is an exciting opportunity which will allow participants to further network with rock lobster fishers, managers and scientists from across Australia and New Zealand, and will really help support their aspirations and future involvement within the industry.”

WRL will continue to provide bursaries so those who missed out this time around will have further opportunities to get involved in the future. 

“WRL is committed to engaging with future leaders and building industry leadership development so we will continue to provide opportunities in the future to assist with capacity building and professional development,” Mr Taylor said.

In October 2018, WRL held its first DECK Program which aims to build capacity within the industry. 

Mr Taylor said the DECK Program provides professional development opportunities for participants to build their industry knowledge, skills, capability and networks to continually improve their fishing operations and business management.

“The DECK Program is part of WRL’s commitment to developing young future leaders for the western rock lobster Industry.”

Congratulations to Kurt Glass, Chris Williams, Lance Dawe, Michael Butcher, Eddie Fernandes, James Camarda, Radley Woodcock, Stephen Minutillo, Frank Rodriguez and Ashley Cole on their successful bursary applications.

We look forward to working with the bursary winners further and helping grow the positive impact our young future leaders will have on our State’s iconic Western rock lobster industry. 

The bursaries have been funded by WRL through its Industry Partnership Agreement with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).