Winners of Australia’s 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees were announced at the prestigious National Seafood Industry Awards Gala Dinner, held on 12 September 2024 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart.
The awards night capped off the Seafood Directions 2024 Conference, where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of Australian seafood under the theme “Futures of Seafood”.
“We are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards and the Hall of Fame inductees,” Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta said. “The Awards showcase the best of the best in the Australian seafood industry. Recognising our fishers, aquaculturists, retailers, suppliers, restaurateurs, individuals and businesses.
“The National Seafood Industry Awards recognise all aspects of the Australian seafood industry, from water to plate. We’re proud of the individuals and organisations that work hard to underpin Australia’s global reputation as a producer of premium, sustainable seafood.
Papacosta continued: “The awards recognise 13 categories honouring the Australian seafood industry’s top achievers for their professionalism, exceptional quality product, contribution to the economy, and commitment to supplying the best seafood to local, national and international markets.
The 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards Winners were:
- Business Large: Tassal Group
- Business Small: Melshell Sea Farms
- Primary Producer: Troy Billin – Yamba Fisheries
- Health and Safety: Brett McCallum (WA)
- Research Development: Professional Fishers’ knowledge to inform research and management of sawfish and river sharks
- Environment: OceanWatch Australia
- People and Development: Austral Fisheries
- Promotion: The Fish Girl
- Take Away Fish and Chips: Hooked on Middleton Beach
- Restaurant: Hursey Seafoods
- Seafood Experience: Coorong Wild Seafood
- Young Achiever: Sophie Sharland
- Industry Ambassador: Katherine Winchester
Also this year, seven industry leaders were inducted into the Hall of Fame, acknowledging their decades of dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to the seafood industry: Noel Gogerly, Anne Whalley, Jill Briggs, Angus Callander, Mark Ryan, Brian Jeffriess and Rob Fish.
“These inductees have made a substantial positive impact on the industry through their leadership and vision, contributing greatly to the ongoing success of Australian seafood,” Papacosta said. “We are honoured to celebrate their achievements and thank them for their tireless efforts in supporting Australia’s seafood industry.”
