2011 NORTHERN TERRITORY SEAFOOD INDUSTRY BALL & AWARDS

The Awards

The NT Seafood Ball and Awards were held on Saturday 6th August 2011 at the Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin and a night full of dancing, celebrations and delicious seafood was enjoyed by the 180 people who attended. The Northern Territory Seafood Industry Awards recognise outstanding achievements within our industry.

2011 AWARD WINNERS:

Young Achiever

Award Sponsor: Northern Territory Government Department of Resources – Fisheries Division
Winner: Dan Richards

This is the first year for this award category and the 2011 winner, Dan Richards, Humpty Doo Barramundi, a strategic thinker who sees opportunities and goes for it. Dan has been the driver of a number of initiatives for the promotion of Australian seafood in both local and national market places.

Environment Award

Award Sponsor: Darwin Port Corporation
Winner: Bruce Davey, Wildcard Wildcaught P/L

Bruce Davey, FV Wildcard has made a fantastic contribution to the location and removal of ghost nets, and other floating debris and clean up of very remote beaches. His strong working relationship with ranger groups around the coast has increased the effectiveness of the location of debris with its removal.

Research and Development Award

Award Sponsor: GDF SUEZ Bonaparte
Winner: “Tracking the impacts on seafood consumption at dining venues arising from the Northern Territory’s seafood labelling laws” FRDC PROJECT 2009/216 STEERING COMMITTEE

For their work in understanding the impacts of NT Seafood Labelling legislation on both consumers and dining venues, an Australian first.

Seafood Restaurant Award

Award Sponsor: Northern Territory Seafood Council
Winner: Saffrron Restaurant

The 2011 Seafood Restaurant Award goes to a business that has proudly embraced Northern Territory. Since opening its doors in 2008 and the first Territory restaurant to include the Support NT Caught logo on its menu Saffrron Restaurant has proudly been promoting Territory seafood as part of Chef Selvam’s Indian dishes.

With a purchasing motto of “No matter how well you handle product, you can’t make silk purse out of a sow’s ear” Saffrron restaurant has featured top quality Territory produce, including local banana prawns, barramundi, grey mackerel and Goldband Snapper.

Seafood Business Award

Award Sponsor: Northern Territory Government Department of Lands and Planning – Transport Safety
Winner: Darwin Fish Market

Ziko Ilic and Carmel Ball, Darwin Fish Markets were recognised for their ongoing demonstrated commitment to the industry in promoting the local product and providing a retail outlet with a broad range of fish and fish products. The major benefit to the industry from this business has been the ability to develop and maintain a supply chain with major retailers, this has provided a real opportunity the industry.

Seafood Icon Award

Award Sponsor: Northern Territory Seafood Council
Winner: Horst Fischer

Over 25 years Horst Fischer has sat on numerous government committees including but not limited to Timor Reef Advisory Committee and the Offshore Snapper Advisory Group. Horst has chaired numerous industry associations and has been a board member of the NTSC Board for the last five years.

As one of the largest producers of fish for the domestic market than any other Australian fisher he has cemented his importance to the development of the Australian fishing industry.

Robert Ladlow Industry Development Scholarship

Winner: Will Bowman

The Robert Ladlow Seafood Industry Scholarship is awarded to assist in the further development of an individual who shows leadership and a passion for the NT Seafood Industry.

The first recipient of this scholarship is Mr Will Bowman. Will is using the scholarship to undertake the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program to further enhance his leadership skills. Will is expected to graduate from the leadership program in mid September 2011.

2011 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Seafood Promotion Award

Award Sponsor: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Highly Recommended: Indo Pacific Marine

Established in 1973, Indo Pacific Marine brings an innovative method of bringing marine life to the public through its aquaria. A land based operation which has functioned as a marine conservation and education centre which has seen its challenges over the years including Cyclone Tracey has continued throughout to ensure that all visitors to their centre, regardless of age, occupation or health learnt why marine environments must be protected and cared for.

Seafood Training Award

Award Sponsor: Northern Territory Seafood Council
Highly Recommended: Northern Territory Government Department of Resources – Fisheries Division Indigenous Development Unit (DoR)

The Indigenous marine ranger program (accepted by Glenn Schipp, DoR) has made a significant contribution to increasing awareness of the issues for the industry with in Aboriginal communities and made contributions to understanding the economic importance of the seafood industry. Their work has achieved increasing employment and training of apprentices, conducting of marine range workshops and partnership with indigenous groups including research.

Award Sponsors

The 2011 NT Seafood Industry Ball and Awards were proudly sponsored by:

• Darwin Port Corporation
• Northern Territory Government Department of Lands and Planning – Transport Safety
• Northern Territory Government Department of Resources – Fisheries Division
• Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
• Bonaparte LNG

Seafood to create a fabulous menu was generously sponsored by:

• Austop Pty Ltd
• Australia Bay Seafoods
• Barramundi Licensee Committee
• Darwin Fish Market
• Northern Prawn Fishery Industry Pty Ltd
• NT Mud Crab Licensee Committee
• Paspaley Pearls
• WA Seafood Exporters