NEWS March 2021 CEO’S REPORT reports the first being the Collaboration and working NT Seafood Export Strategy together cannot be and the second being the undervalued or taken for NT Government’s Seafood granted. In fact this has never Processing Scoping Study been more important for the report. discussions and progression of resolution of the Blue Sometimes it is easy to Mud Bay negotiations. The forget about the work and Northern Territory Seafood support required to get these Council and the Northern types of reports together. Land Council have for many Firstly, neither report could months engaged in building It’s a fact of life that time have been progressed in a high-level relationship that goes by faster and faster as the timely manner they were has focused on ensuring a we get older. Indeed here we without the NT Government’s harmonious existence for are at the end of March 2021 support for aiding growth both commercial fishers and which means the NT seafood opportunities. Secondly the Aboriginal Communities. industry has been gearing up time and contributions made These discussions have for one its busiest times of the by members, industry and run smoothly and reflected year, Easter. the broader supply chain co-operation and willingness ensured both reports were for the coexistence of NTSC We have checked in with local able to gain insights to members and Aboriginal retailers who are reporting identify practical next steps. fishing interests. plentiful stocks of many NT Importantly, KPMG who favourites including Spanish were commissioned for both The confidence and goodwill Mackerel, Saddletail Snapper, reports did a terrific job in the Northern Land Council Red Emperor, farmed and compiling comprehensive has displayed to allow wild caught Barramundi, King information in an easy to read discussions to continue in Threadfin, Black Jewfish, Mud format. good faith by removing the Crab and Squid. Even more uncertainty of access to importantly there is a range of Quite simply, neither a commercial fishing grounds is prices and products to choose strategy or new opportunity a significant step forward. from to suit all budgets. happens in isolation. We were pleased to join the So whilst the year has taken Similarly we are on the cusp Minister for Agribusiness and off at an incredibly fast pace, of that time of year when the Aquaculture, the Hon Nicole the continued willingness of Northern Prawn Fishery head Manison in the launch of the people to take the time to out for their Banana Prawn Seafood Processing Report. provide their input and time season leaving the Frances In addition it was wonderful to work collaboratively has Bay Mooring Basin looking to see the Minister take the resulted in some tremendous emptier than usual without the time to create a Facebook steps forward being made. prawn trawlers. video to aid understanding of the opportunities ahead. Not Of course all of this goodwill At the same time, looking to mention the NT News who and ability to give time and back on the first few months provided excellent coverage energy is reliant on people of 2021 has been a busy in both the NT News and being in a good headspace. It and exciting period. We NT Business Review on was great to see Jo Marshall were delighted to see the both reports to help raise in Darwin this month to nuture release of two very strategic awareness about the seafood the Darwin pilot as part of the industry. Mental Health Program for the

Newsletter of the Northern Territory Seafood Council www.ntsc.com.au Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Frances Bay, Darwin GPO Box 618 Darwin NT 0801 | Telephone 08 8981 5194 | Email [email protected] ABN 85 918 271 276 2 Seafood Industry. Mental health QUICK READ cannot be underestimated and the simple act of bringing people Access Arrangements Cultural Education and together, like this month’s BBQ The NTSC confirms that the Representation Project in the duckpond, can provide arrangements in relation to The future of our industry an opportunity for connection. access are clear and fair. Read will relies on building better Being “connected” is one of more on page 6. relationships and partnerships the five habits for happiness with Traditional Owners. Read which is featured on page 9. Save the date more on page 7. Discover how taking the time to We’re excited – it is that time adopt these habits can make a again! Save the date and lock Darwin Trusted Advocates difference to your wellbeing. the 2021 NT Seafood Industry Each of the Darwin trusted Awards into your diaries for 25 advocates have recorded a Katherine Winchester, August 2021. chat with program manager NT Seafood Council Jo Marshall which is available Chief Executive Officer Nominations are open on the Stay Afloat Australia The 2021 NT Seafood Industry Facebook page. Read more on Awards nominations package page 9. is now available on our website. Read more on page 10. Have you heard of this new Aussie product? Stakeholder Survey is now It is not frozen fish fillets from open China, Vietnam or New Zealand It is vital that we understand it is one of only a few Australian how we are performing from a frozen options. Read more on stakeholder perspective. Read page 5. more on page 13. Processing Scoping study Export Strategy report is out First steps have been identified. The report released in late Read more on page 5. February is a key step towards a potential processing facility in Get to know Fishieres staff Darwin, to grow local businesses Evan Needham and Dr Hock and jobs, maximise the value of Lee are featured in this quarter. our seafood and improve access Read more on page 12. to other markets. Read more on page 4. Keep up-to-date on Seafood Industry Meetings New report reveals impact NTSC AGM, Licensee of COVID-19 on the seafood Committee and Association industry AGMs & GMs. Read more on The research focused on the page 14. short-term impacts of the early stage of the pandemic (January Facebook to June 2020). Read more on Find you’re not keeping up with page 8. the Territory seafood industry news and issues? Joining us on Facebook www.facebook. com/NTSeafoodCouncil

3 NATIVE TITLE OFFICER DARWIN SEAFOOD PROCESSING SCOPING STUDY As you may be aware, in 2020 NT Seafood Council (NTSC) appointed a A Northern Territory Government commissioned report Native Title Officer (Shelley Beard) to aimed to assist the Territory Government with detailed work on helping NTSC and members information on the potential for a seafood processing in improving their knowledge of facility in Darwin has been released. Native Title, the Native Title claims processes, and to prepare for any The report released in late February is a key step towards upcoming Native Title Claims of a potential processing facility in Darwin, to grow local interest to the NT seafood industry. businesses and jobs, maximise the value of our seafood and improve access to other markets. Working together, This project has recently been the Territory Government and local business have been extended until 30 June 2022. able to identify the opportunity to create local jobs, drive investments and grow the seafood industry. At present Please remember that to assist in being there is limited seafood processing in the Territory with the prepared for action when Native Title majority of our local seafood sent interstate for processing. claims do occur, NTSC has developed a subscription for members and other ‘Our Seafood Industry has an exciting future. It has fishers to be kept abreast of Native excellent sustainability regulations and best practice Title action, news and information. industry management in place, there is significant value that can be added to industry right here in the Territory,’ The subscription is available via said Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture, the Hon the NTSC website and everyone Nicole Manison MLA. involved in the seafood industry is encouraged to register and sign Northern Territory Seafood Council’s CEO, Katherine up to receive Native Title news. Winchester stated the NT Seafood Council was delighted at the release of the Report as it will aid decisions To register your interest please: surrounding seafood processing facilities for Darwin.

• nominate the Native Title The study, which was undertaken by KPMG in 2020, subscription on your member highlight their findings which includes: profile, or • email Shelley at [email protected]. • a processing facility presents an opportunity to build a au, resilient and vibrant industry and promotes consistency • or ring NTSC on 08 8981 5194. and quality of product, greater exports, industry co-operation and branding co-development as well as Please also encourage your lessees, research and development; other members and anyone who is • the recommended development approach was for high working on the water to subscribe to value, low volume, high quality products that are mainly the NTSC Native Title database. export focused - in particular the bladders of both black jewfish and barramundi (wild-caught), pearl meat, trepang and, to some extent, pelagic species with a range of other species that could be smoked or turned into high-value niche products; and • government and industry should continue to co-ordinate and facilitate the discussions required to move forward with an industry driven project.

To read the report: www.ntsc.com.au/content/seafood- processing-facility-scoping-study-ntgkpmg

4 FIRST STEPS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW AUSSIE In early February the Seafood Council released a first for PRODUCT? the seafood industry - The NT Seafood Industry Export Strategy. Raptis Seafood has a new product available in major supermarkets in Working alongside KPMG, the Seafood Council were able providing customers with portion to better understand from both industry and stakeholders sized Australian fish fillets. Yes you the levels of export prior to COVID-19, the drivers and have read it right – it is not frozen barriers for industry to export, and the opportunities and fish fillets from China, Vietnam or areas of focus and priority. New Zealand, it is one of only a few Australian frozen options now ‘These are the vital first steps to unleash further potential for available for consumers who want to the seafood industry through the development of an Industry support local. Export Strategy,’ Northern Territory Seafood Council Chief Executive Katherine Winchester said. A very handy 500g pack of Wild Caught Tropical Snapper fillets are The Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture, the individually wrapped, with each pack Hon Nicole Manison MLA said ‘investing in our local containing 4 pieces. The thing is that seafood industry will showcase our high-quality this Australian seafood product has seafood and support the use of local logistics actually been harvested from right networks and Indigenous involvement in the industry.’ here in the Northern Territory.

The Seafood Council understands that the Snapper fillets are Crimson Snapper and Saddletail Snapper, which have been harvested from the NT Demersal fishery.

NT Seafood Council staff have tried and tested these pre-packed portions, The report has provided an overview of export activities by both cooking them on the barbeque and identifies barriers and opportunities to strengthen local and in the frying pan. The results are businesses, as well as the development of key initiatives for in – easy and delicious. It is great to industry to implement. These are: see local options now available in the supermarket. Congratulations to the • exploring the potential of a centralised ‘NT Seafood’ Raptis team for this exciting initiative. brand for existing products; • developing a marketing and branding strategy for the Northern Territory seafood industry; • facilitating industry knowledge uplift workshops; • exploring options for industry collaboration structures and implementation; • assisting members to initiate export readiness plans and strategies; • establishing and developing relationships; and • investigating inter-industry collaboration opportunities.

The NT Seafood Industry Export Strategy is sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.

Click here to view report: www.ntsc.com.au/content/ nt-seafood-export-strategy/nt-seafood-export-strategy

5 ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

Recently, there have been several reports in relation to fair right of access through Aboriginal Land so that commercial fishers may continue to operate.

It should be noted that the Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) and the Northern Land Council (NLC) have for many months, engaged in building a high-level relationship that has focused on ensuring a harmonious existence for both commercial fishers and Aboriginal Communities. These discussions have run smoothly and reflect co-operation and willingness for the coexistence of NTSC members and Aboriginal fishing interests.

The NTSC confirms that the arrangements in relation to access are clear and fair, and whenever there has been any sort of confusion the NLC has been quick to address the concerns in the spirit of the goodwill built following the signing of the Nitmiluk Heads of Agreements in June 2019.

The nature of negotiations and the detail in relation to implementation of certain milestones are, and will always remain, commercial in confidence. NTSC is fully supportive of the NLC and its members decision in the provision of certainty of access for the next two years whilst key strategic action and initiatives are progressed to resolve the Blue Mud Bay (BMB) negotiations.

‘Commercial fishers for the first time have certainty of access for a two-year period (until 31 December 2022) which alleviates unnecessary stress and allows focus on strategic projects to progress change,’ said Northern Territory Seafood Council Chief Executive Officer, Ms Katherine Winchester.

‘The confidence and goodwill the Northern Land Council has displayed to allow discussions to continue in good faith by removing the uncertainty of access to commercial fishing grounds is a significant step forward.

‘An access instrument has been entered into by the Northern Land Council which grants access to commercial fishing licence holders during the extended access period (1 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2022), in line with the BMB Implementation Action Plan.

‘There are Terms and Conditions which the Northern Land Council seeks commercial operators to comply with, and this includes a Code of Conduct which we are communicating out to our members to ensure they are aware of this requirement.

‘We look forward to progressing matters of interest to the commercial sector directly with the Northern Land Council and other stakeholders where relevant.

6 CULTURAL EDUCATION AND REPRESENTATION PROJECT

We know that many of our members are concerned about the future of the industry and uncertainty around their jobs and livelihoods. Contributing to this uncertainty is anxiety about continued access to fishing grounds, and confusion around Sacred Sites, Native Title and the Blue Mud Bay High Court decision.

The future of our industry will rely on building better relationships and partnerships with Traditional Owners, and this will require a deeper understanding – both legal and cultural – of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (ALRA).

As part of our work to build certainty for our members around the future of the industry, we have been undertaking the Cultural Education and Representation Project. The project seeks to develop and deliver education resources and training material in relation to improving the understanding of the relationships between fisheries legislation, Sacred Sites, Sea Country and Land Rights, for the purpose of increasing understanding and respect for Aboriginal Australians and their cultures.

The project creates a starting point for us to build understanding for more certainty and better partnerships through educational materials and training and includes the development of materials about ALRA, its history, and its relationship with commercial fishing, as well as cross cultural training for the NTSC Board and staff.

Through this work, we want to improve current and future members’ understanding of the legislation, to reduce uncertainty and build a stronger foundation for cross cultural understanding and partnerships.

We share our waters with Aboriginal communities who, under ALRA, can permit access to fishing grounds. Without mutual understanding, trust and support, our industry doesn’t have a bright future. The future of our industry relies on improving cross cultural understanding and respect.

We are focussing on Land Rights because many in the industry are unaware of, or confused by, the current legislation, and don’t understand it. This lack of understanding impacts on our ability to build trust, as well as certainty over our own practices.

The aim of the process is to improve understanding amongst our industry which can aid long-term trusting relationships with Land Councils and Traditional Owners, and create opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and regional economic development.

Improving understanding and education will enable everyone to plan, invest and grow with certainty, and working directly with the relevant Land Councils, communities and others will expedite this.

To date the Board and staff have completed cross cultural training and participated in “yarning” sessions. In addition to this a number of educational resources have been developed or are nearing finalisation including podcasts, videos and case studies.

This project titled Cultural Education and Representation Project received grant funding from the Australian Government. 7 NEW REPORT REVEALS SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SEAFOOD INDUSTRY The Northern Territory seafood industry aims to be at the forefront of an integrated approach to ecosystem-wide This month the Institute for Marine sustainability. This project aims to develop a strategy that and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) will assist in gaining the trust of the community about its released a report that has analysed practices and show the industry is transparent. how COVID-19 affected the Australian seafood industry (January to June We understand the NT seafood industry faces many 2020). challenges including resource access, climate change impacts, data collection, interactions with protected species, Dr Patrick Hone, Managing Director, and bycatch. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation said the overall impacts of The NT seafood industry is now taking a proactive approach the pandemic on the seafood industry to fishing practices that address sustainability issues. have been asymmetric, with sectors The Strategy will further build the industry’s capacity supplying domestic markets mostly and stewardship of conservation and marine bioregional able to prosper, while exporters often planning, including initiatives in the NT area of the North brought to their knees. Marine Park Network. The Strategy will also clearly demonstrate how the NT Seafood Council works with The research focused on the its members and the broader community to keep the short-term impacts of the early stage industry at the forefront of sustainability and planning. of the pandemic (January to June 2020) which examined the impacts at So far we have undertaken a range of activities including: a sector level. • sustainability survey; • literature review of current and future environment and IMAS University of Tasmania sustainability impacts for the NT seafood industry; Research Fellow and study leader, • risk assessment workshops to aid the development of a Dr Emily Ogier, said ‘The industry risk register, issues tree and supply chain map; at large showed resilience. Sectors • data forum to assess the current state, data needs and that were able to adapt quickly did reporting requirements; and better, which highlighted the need for • strategy and roadmap workshop. continuity planning. This will involve paying greater attention to supply Over the coming months we will seek feedback on the chain risks, and fostering relationships proposed direction and focus of the sustainability strategy. and capabilities to enable rapid reorientation in products and markets.’ The NTSC is committed to a sustainable future for the NT seafood industry and the continuation and growth of its The report found there was no single valuable contribution to the NT economy. seafood industry COVID-19 story. While in some cases the effects of the If you would like to find out more about the project, please pandemic have been negative and email [email protected]. even catastrophic, on a world scale Australia has navigated the pandemic This project titled Sustainability Strategy: Building capability well. This was largely due to the and resilience for the Northern Territory seafood industry Industry and the Government working received grant funding from the Australian Government. together.

The report ‘Impact of COVID-19 on the Australian Seafood Industry January-June 2020’ is a product of FRDC Project 2016-128.

8 STAY AFLOAT DARWIN ANIMATED VIDEO CREATED TO PROMOTE The “Stay Afloat” National Mental Health Pilot Program SAFE FISHING provides support for the seafood industry to help break the PRACTICES stigma associated with poor mental health, and to assist people to connect to resources and assistance. Eight videos have been developed and released by the Department Darwin is one of three pilot focus communities for the of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s program. Darwin Trusted Advocates have hosted Stay Aboriginal Fishing Mentor Program Afloat seafood community BBQ’s down at the duckpond. (AFMP) to promote safe fishing In March the barbeque attracted over 50 people within practices for communities holding the industry who enjoyed a sausage sizzle, chat and the a commercial Aboriginal Coastal opportunity to meet the advocates and program manager. Licence.

Each of the Darwin trusted advocates have recorded a The aim of the AFMP program is chat with program manager Jo Marshall which is available to provide support and training in on the Stay Afloat Australia Facebook page. commercial fishing skills to Aboriginal people here in the Northern Territory. Darwin Trusted Advocate interviews: To date over 110 Aboriginal people • Michael O’Brien interview, 22 December 2020; have participated in the program, • Toni Hedditch 19 January 2021; and with a variety of skills learnt including • Fran Davis 2 March 2021. seafood processing, how to handle seafood, to making and repairing of Stay Afloat Australia has a dedicated website where the nets. seafood industry can find resources for fishers and their families, including a downloadable flier on five habits for The newly released videos were happiness and stairway of stress. Also on the website is vital produced in two languages, English information such as warning signs for someone who may be and Yolngu Matha, and aim to raise suicidal, and how to support a colleague with depression. awareness and improve safe fishing practices. www.stayafloat.com.au/industry/ A range of topics are available which www.stayafloat.com.au/industryFacebook.com/ include work health and safety StayAfloatAustralia responsibilities; dangerous marine life; planning a trip; launching a net For further information please contact Jo Marshall via from land and boat; processing fish; [email protected] or 0408 008 344. using a cold chain; and working with ropes and nets.

The videos were developed with the support of SeSAFE, a seafood safety initiative funded by the seafood industry, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5oivsA7BkXk

9 NOMINATIONS OPEN - 2021 NT SEAFOOD INDUSTRY AWARDS

The 2021 NT Seafood Industry Awards nominations package which includes judging criteria is now available via the NT Seafood Council website. Applications close 16 June 2021.

Excellence in the following categories will be recognised:

Environmental Stewardship Award Demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking an environmental activity that has contributed substantially towards protecting or rehabilitating aquatic environments, or reducing adverse seafood industry impacts on the environment.

Industry Ambassador Award A person who has demonstrated that he or she has made a substantial positive difference to the seafood industry over at least twenty years and who has been a highly effective and respected seafood industry leader.

Large Business Award (10 or more FTEs) Demonstrated business growth, innovation, excellence in product, services and marketing, and that has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Small Business Award (less than 10 FTEs) Demonstrated business growth, innovation, excellence in product, service and marketing, and that has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

People Development Award Demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a people development activity that has contributed substantially towards a higher performing workforce for the seafood industry.

Primary Producer Award Demonstrated excellence in the sustainable production of quality seafood through innovation in fishing or aquaculture practices, and that has contributed substantially towards a positive public profile for the seafood industry.

Promotion Award Excellence in developing and undertaking a promotion activity that has contributed substantially towards improving the public profile of seafood and/or the seafood industry.

Research, Development & Extension Award Demonstrated excellence in developing and undertaking a research, development and extension activity that has contributed substantially toward

Restaurant Award Excellence in consistently serving customers with quality seafood, and providing them with an overall positive seafood dining experience. Safety Award

10 NOMINATIONS OPEN - 2021 NT SEAFOOD INDUSTRY AWARDS

Safety Award Demonstrated excellence in developing and maintaining a culture of safety that has contributed substantially towards improving the safety record of the seafood industry.

Take-away Fish & Chips Award A casual food outlet that has excellence in consistently providing customers with quality NT seafood, as well as demonstrating the NT labelling laws.

Young Achiever Award (under 35 years of age) Made a positive difference to the seafood industry, and has the potential to continue to develop as an effective and respected seafood industry leader.

Winners from 2019 NT Seafood Industry Awards

Award: Industry Ambassador Award Award: Seafood Business (Small) Award Sponsor: Department of Trade, Business & Innovation Sponsor: Humpty Doo Barramundi Pty Ltd Winner: Bob Richards Winner: Mr Barra

Award: Seafood Business (Large) Award Award: People Development Award Sponsor: Sydney Fish Market Sponsor: Industry Skills Advisory Council NT Winner: Monsoon Aquatics Highly Commended: Affectus

Award: NT Judged Take-Away Fish & Chips Award Award: NT People’s Choice Take-Away Fish & Chips Sponsor: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Sponsor: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Winner: Frying Nemo Fish & Chippery Winner: Frying Nemo Fish & Chippery

Award: Restaurant Award Award: Safety Award Sponsor: Department of Primary Industry & Resource Sponsor: Australian Maritime Safety Authority Winner: Snapper Rocks Bar & Kitchen Winner: Paspaley Pearling Company

Award: Young Achiever Award Sponsor: Darwin Port Winner: Samantha Nowland

Looking for more information click here for the Nomination Pack or contact Donna English on ph: 08 8981 5194 or [email protected]

11 GETTING TO KNOW THE CONT. GETTING TO KNOW THE FISHERIES STAFF FISHERIES STAFF

Evan Needham, Aquatic Resource Dr Hock Lee, Senior Researcher Manager

With an academic and work background in applied Evan is an Aquatic Resource Manager mathematics and statistics, Dr Hock Lee is the number with the NT Fisheries Division, his crunching expert for NT Fisheries. Over the last 9 years, current role is a dual position as since starting at NT Fisheries, he has also become a Manager of the Aquatic Biosecurity self-taught expert in ArcGIS mapping. Hock is currently Unit and the Fisheries Compliance working on implementing a number of outer data, mapping Liaison Officer. After his family left and data sharing programs to help deliver programs more Darwin in 1978, Evan moved back efficiently for NT Fisheries. in 2003 to take up a roll as an aquaculture technician to help develop Hock started his career in the NT Government sector as mud crab hatchery techniques at a casual project research assistant in the Department the Darwin Aquaculture Centre on of Health in 2003, analysing health data. Along the way, Channel Island. During his nine years he has worked in the Department of the Chief Minister, on the island he was involved in the the Department of Business, the Department of Primary production of mud crabs, barramundi, Industry Resources. giant clams, tropical oysters and trepang. Hock’s favourite pastime is watching YouTube showing foreign countries and cultures; reading Chinese story books Evan has a Bachelor of Applied about Wuxia, which literally means “martial heroes”, which Science majoring in Fisheries is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of Management and Aquaculture from martial artists in ancient China. Southern Cross University, Lismore in Northern NSW. His most recent Hock believes now is an exciting time for the NT Fisheries, projects include the management as we are embarking on a journey of modern office process of the design, construction and automation, which will give the Division the power to deployment of the 4 purpose built quickly automate workflows and create modern process artificial reefs installed around greater applications (via K2 Five low-code automation) and Darwin at the end of 2019. provide interactive visualisation and business intelligence (via Power BI). Hock’s dream is to create an Information When not playing rugby union, touch System for NT Fisheries and its’ stakeholders, with a single football or hockey he enjoys fishing, source of truth, with a simple transparent fishery data breeding aquarium fish or kicking model. back in front of the TV.

12 STOP THE PRESS STAKEHOLDER SURVEY NOW OPEN Our annual publication Year in Review 2020 which includes messages from the Minister for Agribusiness and For the past two years the Seafood Aquaculture, the Hon Nicole Manison MLA, NT Seafood Council has conducted a Stakeholder Council Chairman, Mr Anthony Ciconte has just arrived and survey to seek feedback on NTSC will sonn be posted. value and performance, which will aid in the evaluation of our organisation Every year this publication seeks to provide updates and against the NTSC Strategic Plan transparency to our members and stakeholders as well as a 2018-2023. feature story to provide insight to a specific business, family or fishery. We are delighted this years’ story focussed on a 2021 will be our third survey, it is relatively unknown sector with a rich history in the NT - the vital that we understand how it is Trepang Fishery by catching up with Tasmanian Seafoods, performing from a stakeholder Chief Executive, Mark Webster. perspective as well as learning from stakeholders what they believe to be Trepang, also known as sea cucumber, are found on the the key risks facing the NT seafood sea floor and collected by divers under a Northern Territory industry. Fisheries Licence. It can be a hazardous job with potential for shark interactions in southern waters and the risk of The 2021 survey has been emailed crocodiles in the Northern Territory. to stakeholders and will remain open until 7 May 2021.lClick here to Tasmanian Seafoods complete the survey. have now spent over 16 years researching Previous survey result can be and developing trepang viewed here. aquaculture for sea ranching and stock enhancement. They are working with Traditional Owners and residents at Baniyala. In addition, conducted sea ranching trials in colloabration with the Groote Eylandt and South Goulburn Island communities.

Mark Webster, said the company has long had a desire to connect and work with Indigenous communities and in 2021 Tasmanian Seafoods plans to expand trepang ranching in Indigenous sea country through collaborative initiatives.

“We have really big plans for the Northern Territory and the trepang industry,” Mark said.

“Our trepang aquaculture facility will allow us to put juvenile trepang into the ocean and ranch them with the assistance of Indigenous communities. We also intend to put trepang into carefully selected areas to enhance wild stocks and to ensure long term sustainability of wild harvest.”

13 CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS OF THE NTSC’S COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS

As at 30 March 2021 the following industry representatives are Chairs and Vice Chairs of:

Aquaculture Licensee Committee Aquarium Licensee Committee Chair – David Wilson Chair – Jaime Beard Vice Chair – Luke Turner Vice Chair – Lyle Squire

Barramundi Licensee Committee Coastal Net Licensee Committee Chair – Geoff Diver Chair – David Baumber Vice Chair – Vacant Vice Chair – John Munroe

Mud Crab Licensee Committee NT Coastal Line Fishermens Association Chair – Chris Calogeras Chair – Cam Druitt Vice Chair – Doug Neville Vice Chair – Jon Hay

NT Demersal Fishermens Association Offshore Net and Line Licensee Committee Chair – Michael O’Brien Chair – Anthony Ciconte Vice Chair – Clayton Nelson Vice Chair – Biagio Spinella

Pearling Licensee Committee Spanish Mackerel Licensee Committee Chair – Tony Thiel Chair – Peter Manning Vice Chair – Vacant Vice Chair – Norm Hedditch

Timor Reef Licensee Committee Trepang Licensee Committee Chair – Horst Fischer Chair – Mark Webster Vice Chair – Clayton Nelson Vice Chair – Chauncey Hammond

Trader/Processor Licensee Committee Chair – Vacant Vice Chair – Vacant

COMING EVENTS TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON EVENTS – VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.NTSC.COM.AU/EVENTS

Event Date Time Venue Seafood Processing Scoping Study - 15 April 2021 1000-1100 Video Conference Industry Briefing NTSC Conference Room Pearling Licensee Committee, 22 April 2021 0900 Video Conference Annual General Meeting NTSC Conference Room NT Export Strategy 22 April 2021 1200 - 1300 Territory Conference Room, Briefing Ground Level, Northern Australia Development Office, 76 The Esplanade Video Conference NTSC Board Meeting 18 May 2021 0900 Territory Conference Room, Ground Level, Northern Australia Development Office, 76 The Esplanade Video Conference 14