Inaugural Spotlight On Hinchinbrook Event Puts Seafood Industry In Focus

Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

Hinchinbrook’s seafood industry took centre stage last week as fishers, industry representatives, researchers, business owners and government representatives gathered for the inaugural Spotlight On Hinchinbrook seafood industry event.

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Organised by local business owner and Wild Local operator Rebecca Zahgini, the three-day event aimed to bring together people from across the seafood sector while highlighting the importance of commercial fishing to regional communities.

Among those invited were the CEO of Seafood Industry Australia, representatives from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Queensland Seafood Industry Association, OceanWatch Australia, Fisheries Queensland, Hinchinbrook Shire Council members, Hinchinbrook MP Wayde Chiesa and Senator Susan McDonald.  

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Rebecca said she was excited to welcome industry representatives from across Queensland and Australia, and “show them our beautiful hometown and our country hospitality.”  

“Seafood is not just commercial fishing,” Rebecca said.

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“It also includes research and science, such as with aquaculture. There’s lots of different diverse ways people can be involved in the seafood industry.”

The program began with a Women in Seafood Australia (WISA) afternoon tea, which a representative said was set to bring fishers, post-harvest businesses, advocates and policymakers together to build connection and trust.

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Next, the event moved into a seafood barbecue featuring local produce, before a networking evening at the TYTO Conference Centre.

The event then continued with a WISA business breakfast and fisheries workshop, with panellists Kate Lamason, Sienna Green and Raelene Moody discussing their experiences working in and running businesses within North Queensland’s seafood industry.

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Rebecca said the main purpose of bringing the industry together in Hinchinbrook was to highlight the positive contribution made by the sector.

“The main reason of bringing everyone here to Ingham is to show what a positive and professional industry it is,” she said.

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“To really shine a light on the importance of it in little regional communities.”

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She also wanted the event to recognise and shine light on the region’s commercial fishers, a theme that echoed throughout the event, with OceanWatch Australia highlighting its Master Fisherman program and the local operators involved.

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OceanWatch Australia described the program as an opportunity for fishers to demonstrate their commitment to best practice, with attendees encouraged to acknowledge their experience and contribution to the industry.

“Here in this region, our fishers are master fishers,” a representative said.

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“They’re always striving to do the right things on the water, but they don’t always get seen and don’t always get acknowledged for that.”

“There’s hundreds of years’ worth of knowledge and experience, and people working for their community, and they provide such a valuable resource,” the OceanWatch representative said.

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Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo welcomed Spotlight On Hinchinbrook attendees to the region, highlighting the long history of commercial fishing in the district.

“We are fortunate to live and work in a region blessed with pristine waters, rich marine resources, and a seafood industry that proudly supplies some of the finest products in the region,” he said.

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“Commercial fishing and produce have been part of the fabric for a very long time.”

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Inaugural Spotlight On Hinchinbrook Event Puts Seafood Industry In Focus

Mayor Jayo also spoke about the changes faced by the local fishing industry over the years and the importance of finding a balance between conservation and maintaining a viable industry.

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“I am conservative by nature and embrace the need for conservation for our environment and future generations, but there does need to be appropriate balance,” he said.

“To my mind, commercial fishing and local preparation and distribution are imperative not only to our community but our society in general.”

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He also highlighted Council’s work to support local operators, including improvements to marine access and new infrastructure for commercial operators.

“My Council is quite proud of our district’s seafood industry, and we do engage and assist where possible,” Mayor Jayo said.

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“We will continue to support the industry as best as we can.”

The event also recognised individuals for their contribution to the fishing industry, with John Taifalos, Lisa Putzka, Darcy Fazio and Allan Bobbermen receiving awards during the Expo.

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Senator Susan McDonald, who attended the event, congratulated the recipients.

“We need Australian seafood caught by Australian fishers on Australian tables,” she said.

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The three-day event also sparked discussion around the future of the industry, including current fisheries policies and whether some existing approaches remain suited to the realities of the sector.

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Alongside the policy discussions, speakers highlighted the value of generational knowledge built up among local fishers and the importance of ensuring Australian-caught seafood remains an accessible choice for Australian consumers.

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