Tasmania has again taken out a number of accolades at this year’s National Seafood Industry Awards.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of the state’s seafood industry which produces world-renowned seafood, both wild caught and through our aquaculture sector.
“I’m not surprised Tasmania’s seafood industry won three of the award categories at the conclusion of the national Seafood Directions Conference in Hobart,” said Minister Abetz.
“I congratulate Tassal Group, which won the large business award, Melshell Sea Farms, which won the small business award and Hursey Seafoods, which took out the Restaurant award. Tassal Group’s CEO Mark Ryan was also inducted into the Seafood Industry Hall of Fame.
“The national Seafood Directions Conference and the awards, held in Hobart over the past week, were a marvellous opportunity to promote the seafood industry, discuss industry challenges, opportunities and emerging developments for the sector, as well as bringing hundreds of delegates to our state to sample the best we have to offer.
“Providing certainty and opportunity for regional seafood businesses and fishing fleets is a key priority for this Government and our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, with the conference and awards recognising excellence across the sector.
“Tasmania punches well above its weight when it comes to seafood, with combined farm gate value of our wild-catch and aquaculture sector production totalling over $1.4 billion in 2022-2023 – the highest value seafood industry in Australia, and employs both directly and indirectly some 6600 of our fellow Tasmanians, especially in our regional towns.
“Congratulations to all individuals and businesses who were nominated in the award categories.”