Seafood’s night of nights – the 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards – was held in Hobart in September celebrating excellence, promoting innovation and showcasing leadership in fisheries and aquaculture.
The 2024 Seafood Awards highlight the value of fisheries and aquaculture to the national economy, as well as the professionalism and commitment to delivering the finest seafood to local, national and international markets.
Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam opened the Awards, which also included the induction of seven new Hall of Fame recipients. The prestigious National Seafood Industry Ambassador Award was presented to newly appointed FRDC Director Katherine Winchester who was honoured as "a highly effective and respected seafood industry leader" with a positive impact on the sector.
The FRDC-sponsored Research, Development & Extension (RD&E) Award went to the Northern Territory Professional Fishers who are tackling the critical challenge of the decline of sawfishes and euryhaline river shark species in Northern Australia.Their project aims to enhance current understanding of sawfish (Pristis spp.) and river shark (Glyphis spp.) populations in NT fishing grounds by conducting interviews with commercial fishers and documenting their knowledge.
The research team undertaking this project are:
- Dr Vinay Udyawer, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
- Dr Claire Streten, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
- Professor Natasha Stacey, Charles Darwin University
- Donna English, Northern Territory Seafood Council
- Katherine Winchester, Northern Territory Seafood Council
You can read more about the project on the Northern Territory Seafood Council website.
Attendees enjoyed a feast of premium Australian seafood, generously donated by suppliers nationwide, featuring wild-caught Queensland Endeavour Prawns (Metapenaeus endeavouri), Tiger Prawns (Penaeus esculentus), Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi), Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis laevigata) and Blue Threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum).
FRDC congratulates all nominees and winners.
You can read the full list of nominees and winners below.
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Business, Large – Sponsored by Marel Nominees:
Winner – Tassal Group |
Business, Small – Sponsored by Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman’s Association Nominees:
Winner – Melshell Sea Farms (TAS) |
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Primary Producer – Sponsored by Marel Nominees:
Winner – Troy Billin Yamba Fisheries (NSW) |
Health and Safety – Sponsored by AMSA Nominees:
Winner – Brett McCallum (WA) |
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Research, Development and Extension – Sponsored by FRDC Nominees:
Winner – Professional Fishers’ knowledge to inform research and management of sawfish and river sharks (NT) |
Environment – Sponsored by Oceanwatch Nominees:
Winner – OceanWatch Australia |
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People and Development – Sponsored by Salmon Tasmania Nominees:
Winner – Austral Fisheries (QLD) |
Promotion Nominees:
Winner – The Fish Girl (QLD) |
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Take Away Fish and Chip Awards – Great Australian Seafood Nominees:
Winner – Hooked on Middleton Beach (WA) |
Restaurant – Sponsored by Austral Fisheries Nominees:
Winner – Hursey Seafoods (TAS) |
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Seafood Experience– Sponsored by Skills Insight Nominees:
Winner – Coorong Wild Seafood (SA) |
Young Achiever – Sponsored by CSIRO Nominees:
Winner – Sophie Sharland (WA) |
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Industry Ambassador Nominees:
Winner – Katherine Winchester |
Hall of Fame The Hall of Fame award honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the seafood industry for over 20 years. These contributions, often made without financial reward, are typically national in scope, extending beyond personal business or employment. Hall of Fame recipients are recognised for their exceptional leadership, outstanding personal qualities, and high regard within the seafood sector.
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