Steering The Seafood Industry In The Right Direction

The theme of this years conference is the productivity challenge, which is especially important given the challenging international trading conditions, Dr Kelly said.

This conference, together with a trade exhibition, will offer an insight to the Australian seafood industry and provide opportunities for attendees to increase their professional networks."

The seafood industry, along with tourism, is a cornerstone for many coastal communities and the Australian Government is committed to the longevity of this valuable industry."

Australias domestic fisheries and aquaculture industries are worth almost $2.2 billion a year, at the point of landing alone."

Fishing, aquaculture, processing and seafood wholesaling employ nearly 16,000 people directly, with flowon employment considerably exceeding this figure.

The government has implemented harvest strategies across Commonwealth fisheries to manage the risks of fishing on key commercial species, to improve profitability and to rebuild previously overfished stocks."

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, and I jointly announced the Extended Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tunas recent breakthrough towards rebuilding the global stock of southern bluefin tuna."

The rebuilding strategy adopted will ensure that Australias southern bluefin tuna fishery remains profitable for the long term, which is a big win for the industry.

Incorporated into this years conference is the sixth Australian Seafood Industry Awards, to be held on Tuesday 25 October 2011 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The awards recognise excellence in the Australian seafood industry and the valuable contribution the industry makes to the national economy.