Local advocate takes out top award

The outstanding work by members of the seafood industry has been recognised at the South Australian Seafood Industry Awards and local industry icon Joel Redman picked up the Industry Ambassador of the Year.

Hosted by independent peak body Seafood Industry South Australia Incorporated (SISA) and proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), the awards celebrate excellence in the seafood industry and showcase its value to the state and national economy.

The awards recognise the positive contributions of individuals, partnerships, businesses, and organisations towards maintaining a sustainable and profitable South Australian seafood industry.

Joel’s award had very clear parameters, which those in the know, would agree he easily achieved.

It was to be awarded to a person who has demonstrated that they have made a substantial positive difference to the seafood industry over at least twenty years and have been a highly effective and respected seafood industry leader.

Joel has not just been at the coalface of the industry as a third generation fisherman, he has taking on a raft of leadership roles within the industry for three decades, working for the good of the industry as well as your own business a lesson Joel learned in real time at home.

“Early on I had a family connection to advocacy roles having observed my father over a number of years, however I think the main driver was a passion for pushing my industry forward as much as I could,” Joel said. “A huge passion for the scientific research and understanding of our fishery played the biggest role early on, with technology development coming along as well as a part of our industry now.

“I felt that If I was going to invest my life in the fishing industry, I felt it was something I could do to understand more, and then subsequently that developed into trying to ensure we had a voice in our own direction, regardless of government or outside influences. I always just wanted to try to advocate and get the best result for those involved in the industry as I could.”

And clearly the industry agreed with judges honouring that 30 years of advocacy with the Industry Ambassador honour.

“The wider industry recognition is something that I am most proud of and while it is never the aim, it is humbling to say the least,” Joel said.

“I’ve been very fortunate with my experiences to have met large numbers of people who do the same within their industries and interest groups. People that never ask or put their hand up to be acknowledged, but when the need is there, they just get the job done.”

He was also quick to acknowledge the role a supportive family and colleagues, including deckhands, have played in allowing him to pursue the industry roles that have earned him this accolade.

Nominations for the awards were received in early June and the winners across 12 categories were selected by an independent panel of judges.

SISA was established last year with the assistance of a $300,000 grant from the State Government, delivering on a long-standing call from key figures within the seafood industry for a voice that represents the common interests of all seafood sectors, including wild catch, aquaculture, fish processors and retailers.

South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven congratulated this year’s winners and nominees for all their hard work and their outstanding contribution to South Australia’s seafood industry.

“Their professionalism and dedication are reflected in our state’s strong reputation as a top tier producer and provider of high quality seafood,” Minister Scriven said. “South Australia’s seafood industry makes an invaluable contribution to our state’s economy. Our fisheries and aquaculture sectors produced more than 74,000 tonnes of seafood last year – worth $448 million in production.”

Seafood Industry South Australia executive officer Kyri Toumazos also congratulated the award recipients.

“Seafood Industry South Australia would like to thank the Malinauskas Government and Minister Clare Scriven for their support and commitment to the South Australian Seafood Industry,” he said.

Winners of the State Awards will progress to the National Awards hosted by Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) at Seafood Directions in Hobart in September.