The National Seafood Industry Awards 2022 winners

The winners of the 2022 National Seafood Industry Awards and Hall of Fame inductees have been announced as part of the National Seafood Industry Awards gala dinner, held as the final event of the Seafood Directions Conference at the Sofitel Brisbane Central on Thursday, 15 September 2022.

“We are proud to announce the winners of the 2022 National Seafood Industry Awards and the Hall of Fame inductees,” Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta said.

“The awards showcase the best of the best in the Australian seafood industry. Recognising our fishers, aquaculturists, retailers, suppliers, restaurateurs, individuals and businesses.”

The National Seafood Industry Awards have 12 categories and recognise all aspects of the Australian seafood industry, from water to plate. And the winners are:

Primary Producer — sponsored by Fish in the Family

• Wallis Lake Fishermen's Co-operative, NSW

Business (Large) — sponsored by NatPos

• Debbie's Seafood, QLD

Business (Small) — sponsored by NatPos

• Malanda Seafood, QLD

Safety — sponsored by Austral Fisheries

• Huon Aquaculture, TAS

Research, Development and Extension — sponsored by Fisheries Research Development Corporation

• Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries, Australian Prawn Farmers' Association, Curtin University and Source Certain, QLD

Environment — sponsored by OceanWatch

• NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW

People and Development — sponsored by Skills Impact

• Women in Seafood Australasia, WA

Promotion — sponsored by Queensland Seafood Marketers Association

• Shark Bay Prawn Trawler Operators Association on behalf of the Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries (ACPF), WA

Restaurant — sponsored by Great Australian Seafood

• Pearl and Co., TAS

Fish and Chip Awards — sponsored by Great Australian Seafood

• Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods, TAS

Young Achiever - sponsored by Affectus

• Siobhan Threlfall, NSW

Industry Ambassador — sponsored by Australian Fisheries Management Authority

• George Kailis, WA

Hall of Fame inductees

This year, there were 13 people inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“These individuals have made a substantial positive difference to the seafood industry over many years, shown outstanding personal and professional leadership qualities, and are highly respected throughout the seafood industry. Tonight we acknowledge, celebrate and thank them for their contribution to the industry and tireless work to support Australia’s great seafood,” Papacosta said.

1. Former Senator the Hon. Ron Boswell, QLD
2. George Raptis (posthumous), QLD
3. The Mure Family, TAS
4. Allen Hansen (posthumous), TAS
5. Chris Calogeras, NT
6. Bob Richards, NT
7. George Kailis, WA
8. Brett McCallum, WA
9. Geoff Blackburn, NSW
10. Jim Raptis, SA
11. Garry Hera-Singh, SA
12. Peter Bender, TAS
13. Francis Bender, TAS

Image credit: iStock.com/Pickone