The sold-out Seafood Directions 2022 conference held in Brisbane last month, was a fantastic opportunity for face-to-face learning and networking, reflecting the conference motto ‘One voice, one future’.
Photo montage of some highlights of Seafood Directions 2022
Seafood Directions, the premier ideas, innovation and networking event for the Australian seafood industry, was hosted by Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) with support from FRDC and many industry partners and attracted 500 people from all sectors of Australian fishing and aquaculture.
Professor Ray Hilborn of the University of Washington opened the conference with a keynote speech that addressed one of the biggest challenges facing seafood producers – how to sustain food from the seas while protecting marine ecosystems.
Other keynote speakers included Dr Daryl McPhee of Bond University (see photo below), who spoke about the importance of trusted advocates, Jas Chambers of Ocean Decade Australia who outlined Australia’s ocean story, and Tristan Kitchener of Kitchener Partners who gave insights on the changing retail and consumer landscape.
The conference was also addressed by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt, who pledged his support for the seafood industry, and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who spoke about the importance of the seafood industry to her state.
Topics covered by speakers in multiple concurrent sessions at Seafood Directions included fisheries management to secure access and reduce conflict; Indigenous management of sea country; sustainable production and building resilience to climate change; circular economy opportunities for fishing and aquaculture; the future of marketing, trade and exports; sustainable packaging; and the use of digital technology for supply chain management.
Here are some of those who took part in the conference.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt addresses Seafood Directions 2022. Photo: Seafood Industry Australia.
FRDC Managing Director Dr Patrick Hone (at right) congratulates the team which won the Research Award, sponsored by FRDC, in the Seafood Industry Awards presented at Seafood Directions. With him from left, are Executive Officer of the Australian Prawn Farmers Association Kim Hooper, Source Certain Managing Director Cameron Scadding, Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Chair Annie Jarrett, and Dr Janet Howieson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Microbiology and Life Sciences at Curtin University. Photo: Seafood Industry Australia.
Bond University Associate Professor of Environmental Management Dr Darryl McPhee gave a warmly received keynote address about how fishing helped him survive a troubled childhood and inspired him to study fisheries science and develop a life-long career. Darryl is pictured third from left with members of the panel who discussed the value of being a trusted advocate to help people who are struggling. From left are Dr Kate Brooks of Deakin University, Michael O’Brien of Australia Bay Seafoods, Gary Hawkes of mental health training provider Anowara, Umar Nguyen of The Fish Girl, and Toni Hedditch of Taroona Fishing.
Alumni of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program, supported by FRDC, spoke at a panel session about how more young people can be encouraged to pursue careers in fisheries and aquaculture. From left: Brandon Panebianco of Ornatas, Anita Lee of Marine Stewardship Council, Siobahn Threlfall of Ocean Watch Australia, Sarah Thomas and James Thomas, both of South Coast Seaweed. Siobahn was awarded as Young Achiever in the Seafood Industry Awards.
FRDC Research Portfolio Manager Adrianne Laird chats to Bryan Van-Wyk of Austral Fisheries at the FRDC stand.
ABC TV journalist Annabel Crabb gave a thought-provoking address on the barriers to women in the workforce at the Power Up! Breakfast held by Women in Seafood Australasia at Seafood Directions. Annabel is pictured at left with WISA directors Samantha Nowland (centre) of the Darwin Aquaculture Centre and Claire Webber of the Australian Bluefin Tuna Industry Association, Port Lincoln.
Catching up at Seafood Directions are, from left, Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries Executive Officer Rachel King, Alison Turnbull of the University of Tasmania and Safefish, and Tom Cosentino of Southern Rocklobster. Alison gave a talk on the importance of mitigating risk for seafood producers in a world where consumers and markets are demanding more information and a higher standard of food safety.
Angela Williamson, of the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, was one of the panellists who spoke about sustaining food from the seas while protecting marine ecosystems, following the international keynote address on this topic by Professor Ray Hilborn of the University of Washington She is pictured with Robert ‘Bo’ Carne of the Aboriginal Sea Company (left) and Dr Russell Reichelt, Australian Sherpa to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Bob St John (right), general manager of Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative, was the winner of the FRDC business card draw. FRDC Managing Director Dr Patrick Hone is presenting the prize, a bundle of seaweed products from Phyco Health at Huskisson, NSW.
Networking at Seafood Directions are, from left, Tasmanian Seafoods Group Managing Director Darvin Hansen, FRDC Managing Director Dr Patrick Hone, Tobin Fish Tales Director Andrew Tobin, FRDC General Manager Research and Development Investment Crispian Ashby, and Anton Krsinich, Senior Executive at Tasmanian Seafoods.
FRDC General Manager Stakeholder Engagement Kylie Dunstan with Bob Richards and Julii Tyson of Humpty Doo Barramundi.
National Seafood Industry Leadership Program graduates Siobahn Threlfall of Oceanwatch Australia, James and Sarah Thomas of South Coast Seaweed and NSILP program leader Jill Briggs of Affectus.
FRDC Extension Officer Kris Cooling with FRDC Director Alex Ogg and Jo Lane of Sea Health Products.
Seafood industry consultant Alan Snow with FRDC Senior Research Portfolio Manager Josh Fielding.
