The National Seafood Industry Alliance (NSIA) has announced the formation of Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the new peak body for the seafood industry.
In addition, NSIA Chair Johnathan Davey has announced the members of the inaugural SIA board.
The group has seafood industry knowledge and networks across wildcatch, aquaculture and post-harvest sectors, commercial experience in domestic and international markets and are committed to creating a new national body that seafood businesses want to be part of. They include Marshall Betzel, Chauncey Hammond, Dennis Holder, Veronica Papacosta, Mark Ryan, Marcus Stehr, and Belinda Wilson.
The selection of the ‘pro tem’ directors is a critical step in the United Seafood Industries project to form a new peak body to represent the interests of seafood businesses across Australia. It follows the release of a ‘Prospectus’ document in 2016 and widespread industry support including letters of intent valued at $644,460 from close to 100 organisations and individuals.
The next step is for the group to meet, select a chair and then develop the constitution in line with the prospectus and establish the new legal entity.
Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water, welcomed the formation of the body.
“I am confident that the SIA will be a strong advocate for Australia’s $2.8 billion seafood industry,” she said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with the SIA as it promotes and supports the opportunities for Australia’s world class seafood industry.”