Seafood Industry Australia is encouraging the community to support their fishers and Great Australian Seafood. As part of World Fisheries Day celebrations on Monday, November 21.
"Australia's seafood industry is responsibly managed. Also, produces some of the best seafood in the world," Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) CEO Veronica Papacosta stated.
In addition, Papacosta added: "There's no better way to celebrate World Fisheries Day than by tossing a few Great Australian Prawns on the barbie, a side of Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon in the oven, pan-searing some iconic Australian Barramundi or voting for your favorite fish and chip retailer in the Great Australian Fish & Chip Awards which start today."
On the other hand, she demanded more local production promotion: "Today as part of World Fisheries Day we're calling on the community to support their Australian seafood industry, after an especially hard year. We ask for Aussie seafood whether it's at their fishmonger, fish and chip shop, or the local Thai restaurant."
"Australia's seafood industry is subject to some of the most intensive fisheries management and reporting protocols in the world. As an industry, accountability is incredibly important. Every Australian boat, catch, and the pot has to be logged and submitted to the relevant authority. As fishers, our priority is the ocean. It's our livelihood, and the future livelihood of generations to come," Papacosta advised.
According to the corporation, the footprint of Australia's trawlers is one of the smallest in the world. "Australians can be confident that every time they buy Great Australian Seafood it is coming from well-managed, sustainable fisheries. This ensures that our fish stocks will be around for generations to come."
The 2013 Coalition fisheries policy identified and provided funding to help develop a national peak industry body for Australia's commercial seafood industry. The Coalition recognized the need for a united voice for our sector. Also, the need to promote Australia's sustainable fishing practices.
In mid-2015 funding was provided to the National Seafood Industry Alliance (NSIA) and the process of developing a representative national peak industry body began.
During the last Board meeting, Clayton Nelson was appointed as SIA Chair and the designation of Catherine Sayer as Deputy Chair.
