Date: 5 July 2019
Stay Afloat with Ray Martin at the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Awards
The Tasmanian seafood industry celebrated the 7th biannual Tasmanian Seafood Awards at the Hobart Function and Conference Centre (HFCC) in Hobart on Saturday night.
It was also the first time that the industry has promoted the signature ‘Stay Afloat’ Awards. Stay Afloat is the Tasmanian seafood industry and Rural Alive and Well partnership initiative to tackle mental health and wellbeing in the Tasmanian seafood industry.
The host for the night was well known Australian TV personality and Stay Afloat Ambassador Ray Martin.
“Ray is such a wonderful advocate for promoting mental health and wellbeing, and we are so lucky that he is our Stay Afloat Ambassador” said Mr Julian Harrington from the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council.
“His understanding of the issue, combined with his story telling and vast experience is exactly what we need to drown the stigma of mental health in our seafood industry”.
Fourteen Awards were presented to the elite performers of the Tasmanian seafood industry.
The night was a real showcase of industry talent, both in business and on the menu.
The night kicked off with an impressive entrée, donated by all sectors of the industry and bringing everyone together on one plate. Featured were angasi oysters, southern rock lobster, wild abalone, urchins, salmon, scallops, blue mussels, pacific oysters, smoked blue-eye and wakame seaweed. Hobart Function and Conference Centre chef Will Godman impressed attendees with a spectacular culinary experience.
‘It is an absolute joy to be able to work with this beautiful Tasmanian seafood produce. The entrée we’ll be serving would cost over $100 on its own in a restaurant, but we’re able to offer it at a reasonable price for the dinner thanks to the generous support from the suppliers. For me, it’s a wonderful opportunity to create a menu that would otherwise be unrealistic’, HFCC Chef Will Godman.
The Stay Afloat initiative and Tasmanian Seafood Awards event are organised by the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council.
“It is great to see nearly 200 people from all sectors of our industry, from wild catch fishers and marine farmers, right through to retailers and scientists here to help us celebrate this vibrant and exciting industry” said TSIC Chief Executive Mr Julian Harrington.
“Our industry is recognized worldwide for its world’s best practice, management and sustainability, so the winners are not only the best in Tasmania, but also up there with the best in the world” said Mr Harrington.
The highlight of the evening was the Industry Ambassador Award, presented to the Mures Family for their contribution and lifelong commitment to providing Tasmanian seafood. An emotive and nostalgic presentation of the award humbled all attendees, as they recogised the leadership of the iconic family. Mures had a very successful night also taking out the Primary Producer, Large Business and FRDC Judged Best Fish and Chips Award for Mures Lower Deck.
An industry collaboration between the Tasmanian Abalone Council, the Tasmanian Commercial Divers Association and Ralphs Tasmanian Seafood Paua Co. was awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award for their efforts towards the controlling the invasive long spined sea urchin problem on our East Coast.
Australian Seafood Industries (ASI) was awarded the Research, Development and Extension Award for their innovative oyster breeding program to overcome the impacts of POMS.
Young gun Scott Mactier of Shellfish Culture took out the Young Achiever Awards for his leadership and representation of Tasmania on the National Shellfish Biosecurity Plan.
In the very competitive food Awards, The Lobster Shack in Bicheno took out the Seafood Restaurant Experience Award for providing seafood diners with a fresh, local seafood experience, whilst Aquagrill Franklin excelled with the Seafood Casual Dining Experience. The People’s Choice Fish and Chips Award went to reigning champions Fraggles Fish and Chips from Invermay, and the judged Fish and Chips award went to Mures Lower Deck.
“The Stay Afloat Seafood Awards provides an opportunity for lovers of seafood to come along and help support our Tasmanian seafood industry tackle the issue of mental health and wellbeing, while at the same time having an enjoyable night out” said Mr Harrington.
Full Winners List:
- The Mures Family Industry Ambassador Award
- Mures Large Business Award
- Mures Fishing Primary Producer Award
- Mures Lower Deck FRDC Best Fish and Chips Award
- Lobster Shack Tasmania Seafood Restaurant Experience Award
- Aqua Grill Franklin Casual Dining Award
- Freycinet Marine Farm Small Business Award
- Offshore SMS Safety Award
- Australan Seafood Industries RD&E Award
- Eat More Seafood AWBF Showcase Promotion Award
- Centrostephanus Collaboration Environmental Stewardship Award
- National Seafood Industry Leadership Program- People Development Award
- Scott Mactier Young Achiever Award
- Fraggles Fish and Chips FRDC People’s Choice Fish and Chips Award
Bryan Denny, Dawn Jordan, Joe Oakley, Greg ‘Ringer’ Shea and Chris Parker received Recognition Awards for their contribution to industry.
