Victorian seafood industry celebrates night of nights

Posted by Editorial on 7th September 2009

Minister Responsible for Fisheries in Victoria, Joe Helper, has commended the top shelf of Victoria’s seafood crop as the state’s seafood industry celebrated its annual award night last week.Attending the Victorian Seafood Industry Awards at Port Melbourne, Mr Helper said the industry deserved high praise for its environmental awareness, innovation and commitment to sustainability.

“Many Victorians enjoy eating seafood and it is important we have a sustainable and profitable seafood industry in this state to provide fresh seafood to the Victorian community,” Mr Helper said. “Victoria supports diverse commercial fisheries from abalone, rock lobster, scallops and eels, to King George whiting, snapper, flathead, bream, calamari and garfish.”

“Fresh fish is an important source of omega-three fats, known to assist in reducing the risk of heart disease.”

Mr Helper added that the industry was a major source of employment in the state.

“Commercial fishing is also an important source of regional employment in places as far east as Mallacoota and far west as Portland, with more than $120 million worth of fresh seafood landed in Victorian ports,” he noted. “The Brumby Labor Government is proud to be a major sponsor of these awards.”

Award winners:
• Seafood Business Award – She Sells Seafood, Castlemaine;
• Seafood Restaurant Award – Fishermen’s Pier, Geelong;
• Seafood Training Award – Rural Training Initiatives for the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and 3M’s;
• Seafood Industry Producer Award – Victorian Fisheries Association into Resource Management;
• Seafood Industry Promotion Award – Cliff Rossack for the Queenscliff Seafood Feast;
• Environment Award – Victorian Abalone Divers Association for work on the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis;
• Research and Development Award – Victorian Abalone Industry for improved spatial management of the Victorian abalone industry; and
• Seafood Industry Icon Award – Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd