In early April, FRDC directors and staff travelled west to visit the fishing and aquaculture sectors in Western Australia.
The FRDC directors with Bryn Westerberg unloading sardines from the FV Illusion II at the Albany marina.
An early morning visit to the marina in Albany where two local purse seine vessels were unloading sardines, kicked off the FRDC directors' visit. The vessels, owned by local, vertically integrated seafood business, Albany Seafoods, were unloading the morning haul consisting of bait processed into two-kilogram blocks, as well as large storage containers holding premium quality sardines destined for the food sector. Later in the day the FRDC crew visited the factory to see the high-quality catch from the morning, being processed and packaged for retailers.
The Westerberg family shared their story about how they add value to their sardines, processing, marinating and packaging them for domestic and international markets. A highlight for the directors was sampling a range of the delicious, marinated sardines under the ‘Sir Albany’ brand.
Tony Westerberg demonstrated the sophistication of an imported filleting machine that is helping to increase product quality and processing efficiency.
FRDC directors and staff with Tony Westerberg (centre) touring the Albany Seafoods factory.
The directors also visited the Albany Shellfish Hatchery, a facility established to support and help grow the shellfish aquaculture industry in Western Australia.
Greg Jenkins, Director of the Department of Primary Industries Research Development Aquaculture Research, and Jonathan Bilton, Albany Shellfish Hatchery Manager, were joined by Aquaculture Council of Western Australia (ACWA) Chairman, Justin Bellanger, to direct a tour of the hatchery. While the hatchery was originally established to deliver large-scale commercial production of shellfish spat for a range of species including oysters, mussels and scallops, the hatchery has now narrowed its focus to predominately oysters.
The tour ended with the group appreciating why Trenton and Rebecca’s Ocean to Paddock Fish & Chips shop has won several awards, including the National Fish & Chips and Western Australia Seafood Awards.
Trenton and Rebecca Brennan showcasing their menu
The duo welcomed the team and showcased a delicious array of local seafood while sharing their philosophy on letting high quality local seafood products shine, as well as their insights into staff training and development to ensure retention. They also highlighted the importance of educating their customers about local seafood production and the seafood varieties they sell.
While in Albany, FRDC met with a range of stakeholders including:
- Natasha Monks (CEO of Great Southern Development Commission)
- Jess Ngeh and Tahryn Thompson (Department of Primary Industries Research Development)
- Noel Chambers (Director of Regional Compliance South Operations & Compliance Sustainability and Biosecurity)
- Brad Adams (Owner of RARE Foods)
- Graema Baudairns (Western Australian Fishing Industry Council Inc.)
- Scott Coghlan (Editor of the Western Angler recreational fishing magazine)
- Gavin Jackman (Fishing operator part of the Southern Seafood Producers WA Association & South Coast Licenced Fishermen’s Association)
FRDC directors and staff also met with approx. thirty Albany local leaders through a range of day and evening functions.
This reflects R&D Plan Outcomes 1, 3 and 5
