As part of its national safety awareness campaign for commercial fishermen, announced in December 2004, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be conducting a series of informal face-to-face meetings with fishermen in north Queensland ports.

The aim of the meetings is to raise the awareness of commercial fishermen to similar causal factors, identified by the ATSB during investigations of 21 collisions between trading ships and fishing vessels conducted since 1990. The meetings will complement a safety bulletin, published by the ATSB in December 2004, and form an important part of the safety awareness campaign.

The ATSB's safety awareness meetings will be held in conjunction with the meetings being held by the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) to discuss the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Structural Adjustment Package.

All commercial fishermen are encouraged to attend the meetings, which will be held immediately after the QRAA meetings in the following north Queensland ports:

QRAA MEETING SCHEDULE

TOWN	SCHEDULE
COOKTOWN	Monday 21 February at 11:30 am - CWA Hall, 107 Charlotte Street.
CAIRNS	Tuesday 22 February at 9:30 am - Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron, 42 - 48 Tingira Street, Portsmith.
TOWNSVILLE	Wednesday 23 February at 9:30 am - Townsville RSL, 139 Charters Towers Road, Hermit Park.
BOWEN	Thursday 24 February at 9:30 am - Drawing Room, Barrier Reef TAFE, Queens Road.
MACKAY	Friday 25 February at 9:30 am - Windmill Motel & Reception Venue, 5 Highway Plaza Road.

Further information on the safety awareness campaign and the ATSB meetings can be obtained by contacting the ATSB on 1800 621 372, 0427 002 377 or by emailing the Marine Investigation Unit at: marine@atsb.gov.au.

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