Aug 3, 2017 - The event was supported by a number of sponsors including, Westpac Banking Corporation. (Gold event sponso
MEDIA STATEMENT 3 August 2017 (Embargoed until 7.30pm)
Reward and recognition for seafood industry excellence The winners of all categories of the 2017 WA Seafood Industry Awards were announced at a WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) hosted event at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle on Thursday 3 August. The event was supported by a number of sponsors including, Westpac Banking Corporation (Gold event sponsor), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Silver event sponsor), individual sponsors for each of the award categories and seafood contributor sponsors. The Awards ceremony, held every two years to recognises Western Australian seafood industry achievements and excellence were officially opened by the Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Dave Kelly MLA in front of 350 participants made up of industry, media, government and community. Nominations for the Awards were received in mid-June and winners were selected by a panel of judges which included Wines of WA Chief Executive Officer, Larry Jorgenson, former WA Farmers Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Browne and Westpac Banking Corporation Relationship Director, Simon Burke. WAFIC’s Chairman, Clayton Nelson said that the overall standard and diversity of this year’s winners was impressive and reflect an adaptive, innovative and environmentally responsible Western Australian primary industry. “I’d like to congratulate all of the winners at this important event in the seafood industry calendar. “It’s important that we recognise and acknowledge the success of our industry’s achievements – not only to celebrate their achievements but also to inspire others. “These achievements are made more significant by the challenges faced by the seafood and fishing industry such as the red tape and arbitrary environmental regulation, the high Australian dollar and the escalating cost of living and doing business in WA - challenges that sometimes test our ability to thrive. “The Western Australian seafood industry is made up of hardworking people delivering high quality and innovative seafood ideas here in WA. “It is no doubt our State has a bright future ahead in continuing to deliver a world-class, sustainable seafood industry," Mr Nelson concluded said.
The event was a huge success with attendees enjoying an array of fresh, local and sustainably caught Australian seafood prepared by celebrity chefs Don Hancey (WA Food Ambassador), Peter Manifis (Passion Meets Purveyor), Adam Bielawski (Poach Pear), Sophie Budd (Taste Budds Cooking Studio, Josh Catalano (The Fish Boss), Stephen Clark (Clarkes of North Beach), Jamie Evans (Norfolk Hotel), Dan Hansen (Clancy’s Fish Pub), Jason Hutchen (Redmanna Waterfront Restaurant), Stuart Laws (Don Tapa Fremantle), Mun Lei (Royal Seafood Chinese Restaurant) and Nathan Tulip (Panorama Catering). Seafood contributing sponsors included Abacus Crab, BellBuoy Seafoods, Bendotti Exporters, Blom Fishing, Blue Lagoon Mussels, Bluwave Lobster, Brown Dog Fishing Co, Chaceon, Cone Bay Ocean Barramundi, Far West Scallops, Fremantle Octopus, Fremantle Sardine Company, Indian Ocean Fresh Australia, Lucky Bay Seafoods, Mareterram, Ocean Grown Abalone, Ocean Wild Tuna, Paspaley and Shark Bay Seafoods. Mr Nelson said winners of each Award category will now proceed to the national awards competition to be held at the Australian Seafood Industry Awards in Sydney, 27-29 September 2017, in conjunction with the 2017 Seafood Directions conference. (ends) The following Awards were presented across the 13 categories: Gold Event Sponsor – Westpac Banking Corporation Silver Event Sponsor – Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) People’s Choice Fish & Chips Award (sponsored by Francis A Jones) Awarded to - Ocean and Paddock Fish & Chips Award (sponsored by Mareterram Fisheries) Awarded to – Ocean and Paddock Commendation: Blue Ocean Fish & Chips Seafood Restaurant Award (sponsored by Austral Fisheries) Awarded to – Mosmans Restaurant Seafood Business (Small) Award (sponsored by Fisheries WA) Awarded to Southwestern Fresh Fish Seafood Business (Large) Award (sponsored by Qantas) Awarded to Coastal Fisheries Pty Ltd/Seafresh Myaree Safety Award (sponsored by Woodside Energy) Awarded to Mareterram Fisheries Research Development & Extension Award (sponsored by Shell Australia) Awarded to Future Green Solutions Commendation: Erica Starling Environment Award (sponsored by Marine Stewardship Council - MSC) Awarded to Austral Fisheries Commendation: Western School Prawn Restocking Project People Development Award (sponsored by Chevron Australia) Awarded to National Seafood Industry Leadership Program (NSILP) – Jill Briggs Seafood Industry Producer Award (sponsored by Western Rock Lobster Council) Awarded to Ocean Grown Abalone
Commendation: Brown Dog Fishing Co Seafood Industry Promotion Award (sponsored by Fremantle Octopus) Awarded to Mandurah Licensed Fisherman’s Association Young Achievers Award (sponsored by Taylor Marine) Awarded to Asher Flynn Commendation: Pei Jin Michael Kailis Leadership Award (sponsored by MG Kailis) Awarded to Leonie Noble For further information regarding the awards, please contact: Danika Gusmeroli Communications Officer WAFIC office: (08) 9432 7777 Mobile: 0434 963 179 Email:
[email protected] 