Victoria Seafood Companies Praised

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst, said the recent Victorian Seafood Industry Awards, hosted by Seafood Industry Victoria (SIV), emphasised the continued vigour of the seafood industry, its history of achievement and the entry of new leaders into the industry.

“Victoria supports diverse commercial fisheries including abalone, rock lobster, scallops, eels, King George whiting, snapper, flathead, bream, calamari and garfish that are important sources of regional employment from Mallacoota to Portland”, Mr Hurst said.

“More than A$120 million worth of fresh seafood is landed in Victorian ports every year”.

“These awards demonstrate the commitment of SIV and the broader industry to improving fishing practices and the environment and providing high quality seafood to consumers”.

Mr Hurst said two notable award recipients were the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and Len McCall, who has been involved in the abalone industry for 45 years.

The ACF received the Seafood Industry Promotion Award for its role in developing, along with the University of Technology Sydney, a sustainable Australian seafood assessment and certification scheme and applying it to a number of Victorian regional seafood products.

This assessment resulted in Port Phillip Bay and Corner Inlet-sourced King George whiting and calamari being certified as sustainable seafood products.

Mr Hurst continued, “this is the first independent assessment of its kind carried out in Victoria. It provides consumers with sustainable seafood choices and encourages seafood producers by promoting the public profile of seafood”.

Len McCall, recipient of the Seafood Industry Icon Award, has actively participated in the industry for over 45 years as a representative in organisations at all levels.

As a diver in the Western Zone, Mr McCall was a driving force in establishing the Western District Divers Cooperative.

As Chairman of the Victorian Fishing Industry Federation, he led the transition of that organisation into what is now Seafood Industry Victoria. The efforts of Mr McCall in the formation of SIV have provided dynamic industry representation.