WA seafood industry’s finest honoured

WA Fisheries Minister, Don Punch, has congratulated the winners from last night’s Western Australian Seafood Industry Awards, celebrating excellence, sustainability and innovation in the WA seafood industry.

The Minister said the awards – hosted by the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) – provided a fantastic opportunity to profile science and innovation which is vital to maintaining sustainable commercial fisheries.

“It was great to see the State’s seafood businesses, researchers, commercial fishers and industry leaders recognised at last night’s WA Seafood Industry Awards,” said Mr Punch.

“WA’s seafood industry is important to our State, generating more than a billion dollars a year in economic impact and employing more than 6,000 people across range of areas from fishing and processing to marine science and transport.

“The sustainability of our fisheries is underpinned by world class science, research and innovation. I congratulate theDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Fremantle Marine Fish Hatchery team for their great work setting new benchmarks for the seafood industry in aquafeed development and parasite management.

“I commend and thank the entire industry for your contribution to making the WA seafood industry what it is today – a world leader in sustainable fisheries, a major contributor to the WA economy and a sector that supports thousands of jobs.”

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Fremantle Marine Fish Hatchery team was among the winners, receiving the Research Development andExtension Award.

DPIRD’s research is helping address critical challenges within the seafood industry in the development of sustainable aquaculture feeds and effective parasite management in collaboration with industry.

The work is focussed on developing single cell protein-based feeds, contributing to the long-term sustainability and profitability of the sector by producing fish meal free diets and reducing reliance on wild-caught fish.

Pioneering research at the hatchery into parasite management was also featured for improving the palatability and efficacy of parasite treatments in the aquaculture industry, contributing to the advancement of fish welfare and sustainable fish farming practices.

2024 WA Seafood Industry Award Winners: