Western Australia was represented in 10 of the 13 categories at the National Seafood Industry Awards, hosted by Seafood Industry Australia in celebration of excellence shown in the Australian seafood industry.
The awards recognise the positive contributions of individuals, partnerships, businesses and organisations towards maintaining a sustainable and profitable Australian seafood industry.
Fisheries Minister Don Punch congratulated all the Western Australian winners and finalists.
“It was fantastic to see Western Australia so well represented across a range of categories at last night’s National Seafood Industry Awards,” said Punch.
“WA is a world leader in sustainable fisheries management and being recognised on a national level for excellence, sustainability and innovation is a fantastic acknowledgement for our seafood businesses, commercial fishers and industry leaders.”
The WA finalists at the awards are as said below.
| Award | WA Finalist |
| Industry Ambassador Award | Angus Callander |
| Primary Producer | Sea Harvest Pty Ltd |
| Seafood Business Small | The Fisho |
| Seafood Business Large | Finns Seafood |
| Health & Safety | Brett McCallum |
| Environment | The Fisherman’s Daughter |
| Young Achiever | Sophie Sharland |
| Promotion | Western Rock Lobster Council |
| Seafood Experience | Sea West |
| Takeaway Fish and Chips | Hooked on Middleton Beach |
The WA finalists were selected from the winners of the WA Seafood Industry Awards held in May.
The current executive officer for the WA commercial fishing Industry Consultation Unit Angus Callander was inducted into the National Seafood Industry Hall of Fame for his almost 40 years career in the seafood industry.
He was recognised for making positive contributions across a number of areas including transforming remote fisheries, building social licence and community-based initiative programs, and innovative business development.
Other WA winners were Brett McCallum for the Health & Safety award, recognising his 40 years of dedicated service shaping all facets of work health and safety for the seafood industry.
Sophie Sharland, Endeavour Foods manager and director, received the Young Achiever award for her commitment to driving positive change and empowering future leaders in the seafood industry.
Albany’s Hooked on Middleton Beach was awarded Australia’s best fish and chips.
Tassal, who recently expanded their operations to include aquaculture of ocean grown barramundi in the Kimberley, took out the Best Large Business award.
Tassal CEO Mark Ryan was also inducted into the hall of fame
A full list of winners from the National Seafood Industry Awards can be found at www.seafooddirections.com.au(link is external).