Close to 350 delegates from across Australia and abroad will arrive in Sydney this week for Seafood Directions 2017 (SD2017), held at the International Convention Centre from 27th to 29th September. The national seafood industry conference is held every two years, travelling from state to state and is being hosted this year by the New South Wales Seafood Industry Council (NSWSIC).
With the theme ‘Sea the Future’, SD2017 aims to provide a platform for delegates to connect and collaborate with business leaders and those at the forefront of the seafood industry to discuss the current and potential challenges that the industry is facing; and develop the ideas that will pave the way for a sustainable future for all.
The conference will be opened by Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources who also opened the conference in 2015 when she was first appointed as the minister responsible for commonwealth fisheries. A highlight in the program is Craig Rispin, Business Futurist and Innovation Expert from The Future Trends Group who will deliver a keynote presentation on What’s on the horizon? Predicting the future of the seafood industry.
The conference program, consisting of an impressive list of fifty speakers, covers various topics relating to the seafood industry including safety, technology, community and consumers, environment and productivity, fisheries policy and management, aquaculture, markets and exports.
Bryan Skepper, NSWSIC and SD2017 chair said “Australian fisheries are recognised as some of the best managed in the world and it is important for our industry to come together at events like this to share ideas and work together to discuss the latest trends and innovation ideas to ensure a sustainable future for the Australian seafood industry.
“Rarely does a conference program cater for all sectors of the seafood industry but with the contributions of industry towards the organisation of Seafood Directions, we’re able to deliver a high calibre event that will provide delegates with a great deal of knowledge and insight” said Skepper.
Beyond the two days of conferencing, delegates are also offered a range of additional activities to take part in, including a pre-conference workshop on Economics for a Competitive Edge, a field trip to Port Stephens to visit the new Huon Kingfish Lease, a networking breakfast hosted by Women’s Industry Network Seafood Community, Sydney Fish Market Behind the Scenes Tours, and a trade show.
Seafood Directions was established in 1999 as a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) initiative to provide an industry forum for the exchange of ideas, investigation of issues and to facilitate learning from experts, colleagues and associated industries. SD2017 will be the 10th milestone event and was last held in Sydney in 2005.