VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO INDUSTRY
'together with industry (we have) got the balance right in our resource allocation and believe that there is no need for further mandatory closures and cutbacks without the support of industry'
Statement from Minister Helper (15.4.2010)
On the 15th April 2010, the prestigious 5th Australian Seafood Industry Awards was held in Melbourne. The Minister for Agriculture The Hon. Joe Helper MP spoke of the Brumby Governments on-going commitment to the commercial fishing industry.
The Minister noted that; ‘Many Victorian's enjoy eating seafood and it is important that every Victorian has the opportunity to buy high-quality locally sourced seafood. This can only be achieved through a sustainable and profitable seafood industry in Victoria'.
Minister Helper stated that; ‘The Victorian Government will continue to support industry in delivering the message that Victorians want access to locally caught high quality seafood and that not all Victorians have the opportunity to catch their own'.
Minister Helper and the Department of Primary Industries will continue to support the abalone industry's efforts to reduce the risk of the abalone virus spreading through active promotion of the best biosecurity practices. In the commercial bay and inlet fisheries, the Government has removed 2 for 1 restrictions on the transfer of fishing licences to enable fishers to adjust their operations to better satisfy their future requirements.
Minister Helper also took the opportunity to formally endorse a process whereby ‘Fisheries Victoria is working closely with the commercial fishing industry to develop a Commercial Fishing Statement of Intent. This Statement will affirm the Government's commitment to a secure, long-term commercial fishing industry in Victoria and will provide guidance on issues to be progressed by Government and industry over the next two to three years'.
SIV will continue to work with the Government to achieve the best possible outcomes for industry.
For more information click HERE
The 5th Australian Seafood Industry Awards was held on the 15th April 2010, in conjunction with Seafood Directions. There were some truly outstanding nominees in each category all contributing positively to improving the Australian seafood industry.
For a list of winners please click HERE
Special thanks go to;
The Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries Victoria for their Major Dinner Sponsorship.
Minister for Agriculture, The Hon. Joe Helper MP
Seafood Industry Victoria Chairman, Mr. John Hasker AM
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon. Senator Richard Colbeck
A special congratulations to She Sells Seafood, Castlemaine for winning the Australia Seafood Business Award. The growth of She Sells Seafood from a part time roadside business just 6 years ago to now being recognised as Australia's best seafood business is quite remarkable.
Angie Robinson and Frank Forster proprietors stated that "it should put to rest the myth that good quality, fresh seafood is only available in coastal locations". To view a copy of the Minister for Agriculture's Media Release please click HERE
Congratulations to the other Victorian finalists including Victorian Abalone Divers Association for their work on the Abalone Viral Gangleoneuritis (for the Environment Award); Cliff Rossack for his efforts at the Queenscliff Seafood Feast GoodFriday Appeal (for the Seafood Industry Promotion Award); Rural Training Initiatives for their National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and 3M's (for the Seafood Training Award) and Lakes Entrance Fishermens Co-operative Society Limited (for Seafood Industry Icon Award).
PROTECTED SPECIES REPORTING AMNESTY EXTENSION
Seafood Industry Victoria has achieved an extention to the amnesty for Victorian commercial fishers regarding interactions with protected species. The Amnesty has been extented until the 18th November 2011 and applies to all licence holders in the Rocklobster, Giant Crab and Scallop Fisheries. The Amnesty means you can report any incidental interactions with protected species by recording this information in your logbook, without being prosecuted under Victorian law. Click HERE to view DPI correspondence.
NATIONAL SEAFOOD INDUSTRY ALLIANCE
The NSIA congratulates Minister Tony Burke for announcing funding for $2.6 million over four years to maintain the SeaNet program, run by OceanWatch Australia. Click HERE for the NSIA Media Release.
The Victorian seafood industry boasts some of the finest seafood in the country. The cooler waters of Victoria produce high value species such as southern rocklobster and abalone. There is quality scallops available from Bass Strait and Bay and Inlet fishers provide fresh, locally caught scalefish. Other important fisheries that are targeted in Victoria are the eel, giant crab and wrasse.
Some of the fisheries contained within Victorian waters are;
History shows us that entire towns have been built as a result of commercial fishing activities. Approximately $180 million of seafood product is landed at Victorian ports and a large proportion ($130 million) comes from Victorian managed fisheries with the remaining from Commonwealth and Tasmanian fisheries. Victoria is also the hub for processing the majority of south-east Australian catches. The industry is an important source of jobs and provides employment for around 8000 people in harvesting, processing, wholesaling and retailing sector. Areas that can also offer employment are fisheries management, fisheries science, administration, and accounting or even as a chef.
The significance of Victoria’s fishing industry has seen seafood become an important part of healthy eating. Seafood is an excellent source of protein and vitamins such as B12. Researchers have found that a diet containing fish can be beneficial in preventing health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. Seafood also contains fats and oils, of the good kind! Omega-3 and omega-6 contained within fish reduce the risk of heart disease and are important for growth.
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