2024 National Seafood Industry Awards

Business, Large – Sponsored by Marel

Presented to a seafood business employing the equivalent of ten or more full-time staff involved in any segment of the supply chain that has demonstrated business growth; innovation; excellence in product, service and marketing; and has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Nominees: Tassal Group (TAS) • Coffs Harbour Fishermans Co-operative (NSW) • Fins Seafood (WA)

Winner – Tassal Group

Business, Small – Sponsored by Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman’s Association

Presented to a seafood business employing less than the equivalent of ten full-time staff involved in any segment of the supply chain that has demonstrated business growth; innovation; excellence in product, service and marketing; and has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Nominees: Melshell Sea Farms (TAS) • Little Tuna (QLD) • The Fisho (WA)

Winner – Melshell Sea Farms (TAS)

Primary Producer – Sponsored by Marel

Presented to a seafood primary producer that has demonstrated excellence in the sustainable production of quality seafood through innovation in fishing or aquaculture practices, and that has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Nominees: Mures Fishing (TAS) • Troy Billin Yamba Fisheries (NSW) • Sea Harvest Pty Ltd (WA)

Winner – Troy Billin Yamba Fisheries (NSW)

Health and Safety – Sponsored by AMSA

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a workplace health and safety activity that has contributed substantially towards improving the health and safety record of the seafood industry.

Nominees: Tuna Australia (NSW & QLD) • Fran Davis, Michael O’Brien & Toni Hedditch NT Trusted Advocates, Darwin Stay Afloat Focus Community (NT) • Brett McCallum (WA)

Winner – Brett McCallum (WA)

Research, Development and Extension – Sponsored by FRDC

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking research, development and extension activity that has contributed substantially towards a sustainable and profitable seafood industry.

Nominees: SALTAS (TAS) • Tuna Australia (QLD) • Professional Fishers’ knowledge to inform research and management of sawfish and river sharks (NT)

Winner – Professional Fishers’ knowledge to inform research and management of sawfish and river sharks (NT)

Environment – Sponsored by Oceanwatch

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking an environmental activity that has contributed substantially towards protecting or rehabilitating aquatic environments, or reducing adverse seafood industry impacts on the environment.

Nominees: OceanWatch Australia (NSW) • Ridley Agriproducts (QLD) • The Fishermans Daughter (WA)

Winner – OceanWatch Australia

People and Development – Sponsored by Salmon Tasmania

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a people development activity that has contributed substantially towards a higher-performing workforce for the seafood industry.

Nominees: Cameron of Tasmania (TAS) • Austral Fisheries (QLD) • HumptyDoo Barramundi Pty Ltd (NT)

Winner – Austral Fisheries (QLD)

Promotion 

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a promotion activity that has contributed substantially towards improving the public profile of seafood and/or the seafood industry.

Nominees: Seafood Industry Tasmania (TAS) • The Fish Girl (QLD) • Western Rock Lobster Council (WA)

Winner – The Fish Girl (QLD)

Take Away Fish and Chip Awards – Great Australian Seafood

Presented to a take-away food outlet that has demonstrated excellence in consistently providing customers with quality seafood, and has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry

Nominees: Stanley Seafoods (TAS) • Fisheries on the Spit (QLD) • Hooked on Middleton Beach (WA)

Winner – Hooked on Middleton Beach (WA)

Restaurant – Sponsored by Austral Fisheries

Presented to a restaurant that has demonstrated excellence in consistently serving customers with quality seafood, providing them with an overall positive seafood dining experience, and has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Nominees: Hursey Seafoods (TAS) • Poyer’s (NSW) Snapper Rocks Bar & Kitchen (NT)

Winner – Hursey Seafoods (TAS)

Seafood Experience– Sponsored by Skills Insight

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a positive, educative seafood experience activity with opportunities to consume Australian seafood, and has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry. The experience may involve, but not limited to, seafood cooking, trails, tours and festivals.

Nominees: Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures (TAS) • Sea West (WA) Coorong Wild Seafood (SA)

Winner – Coorong Wild Seafood (SA)

Young Achiever – Sponsored by CSIRO

Presented to a person, under 35 years of age, who has demonstrated that he/she has made a positive difference to the seafood industry, and has the potential to continue to develop as an effective and respected seafood industry leader.

Nominees: Jasmine Knowles (TAS) • Paul Aquina (NSW) • Michael Violante (SA) • Sophie Sharland (WA) • Toni Hedditch (NT) • Sienna Green (QLD) • Stephanie Kaparos (VIC)

Winner – Sophie Sharland (WA)

Industry Ambassador

Presented to a person who has demonstrated that he/she has made a substantial positive difference to the seafood industry over at least twenty years, and who has been a highly effective and respected seafood industry leader.

Nominees: Katherine Winchester • Nick Shulz • Joel Redman • Mark Ryan • Jill Briggs • Angus Callander

Winner – Katherine Winchester

Hall of Fame

Presented to persons who have made substantial positive differences to the seafood industry over at least twenty years. The differences that these people have made is normally at a national level, often beyond the bounds of their enterprise or employment and uncompensated. They have outstanding personal and leadership qualities and are highly respected throughout the seafood industry.

Inductees – Noel Gogerly Anne Whalley Jill Briggs Angus Callander Mark Ryan Brian Jeffriess Rob Fish

We would like to thank the 2024 National Seafood Industry Award category sponsors

We extend special thanks to the following companies for their generous seafood donations to the 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards Dinner

Acknowledgement of country:
Seafood Directions and Seafood Industry Australia acknowledges the Muwinina People of the Hobart area, the Traditional Owners of the Country where we live, learn and work, and pays respect to Elders past and present.

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Seafood Directions was established in 1999 as a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) initiative to provide an industry forum for the exchange of ideas. FRDC remains a key funding partner and support agency for Seafood Directions 2022, 2024 and 2026 which will be hosted by Seafood Industry Australia.