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Seafood Industry Forum

The Seafood Industry Forum (SIF) provides the NSW Minister for Agriculture and the NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise forum for dealing with matters about the Seafood Safety Scheme including:

  • its continuing operation
  • any proposed amendments.

Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme.

The Seafood Safety Scheme, under Food Regulation 2010, began in June 2010.

Before then, consultation between the Food Authority and the seafood industry sector was conducted through the NSW Seafood Industry Conference which was established in 2004.

A review of the Food Authority’s consultative committee arrangements was conducted in 2011-12. The Minister sought to refresh the existing structures and membership to ensure they are contemporary and representative of the needs of industry and government.

As a result of the review the Minister decided to establish a new Seafood Industry Forum for consultation, as required under the Food Act 2003. The forum continues under the Food Regulation 2015.

The Food Authority invites organisations that cover different aspects of the food safety scheme to nominate a representative. Membership appointments are for two-year terms and the committee is chaired by the Food Authority.

The forum’s membership is designed to bring expertise and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution to the seafood industry sector.

Functions

SIF provides feedback to the Food Authority and the NSW Minister for Agriculture on issues relating to seafood industries including:

  • food safety policy and practices
  • the Seafood Safety Scheme
  • labelling, food handling and hygiene
  • investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.

Meetings

Terms of Reference

The committee operates under agreed Terms of Reference.

The primary objective of the Forum is to contribute to the Food Authority’s goal of ensuring the production and sale of seafood which is safe and suitable for human consumption by advising on policy and practices introduced into seafood safety schemes and developed through a consultative process.

The Forum has the function of consulting with the Food Authority on food safety schemes under the Food Act 2003 (NSW) relating to the seafood industry.

The Forum and the Food Authority consult on all seafood industry matters covered by the provisions of Food Regulation 2015 including:

  • consultation on emergency management preparedness for the sector
  • consultation on emerging and contentious issues and risks for food safety
  • seeking input for provision into the development and implementation of national primary production food safety standards
  • consultation on other issues in which the seafood industry has an interest such as imported seafood standards, health claims and industry based education
  • assistance in the design and conduct of industry specific product-based surveys
  • regulatory effectiveness.

Where considered appropriate, the Forum may establish sub-committees to address specific issues between scheduled Forum meetings.

In addressing issues, the Forum will take into account, where appropriate, the policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations.

Where appropriate, members will provide industry updates and current issues at each Forum meeting.

The Food Authority may continue to provide the NSW Minister for Agriculture with its own advice on issues that come before the Forum.

Membership & Charter

NSW Seafood Industry Forum

Representation

Name / Address

Contacts

Appointment date / term end

Sydney Fish Market

 

 

MR ERIK POOLE

Innovation & Technical Manager, Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 247
Pyrmont NSW 2009

erikp@sydneyfishmarket.com.au

P 9004 1107
M 0401 996 459
F 9004 1171

 

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

Commercial Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd

 

MR ROSS FIDDEN

Chairman
Commercial Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd
46 Marine Drive
Tea Gardens NSW 2324

rossfidden@hotmail.com

P 4997 1162
M 0414 637 191
F 4997 0925

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd

MS DANIELLE ADAMS

CEO
51-55 River Street,
Maclean NSW 2463

dadams@crfc.com.au

P 6645 0955

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

Food and Beverage Importers Association

 

MR MARK BOULTER

Seafood Technical Support - Food and Beverage Importers Association (FBIA)
&
Director - Safe Sustainable Seafood Pty Ltd
36 Maher Close
Beecroft NSW 2119
 

Alt. rep: Carolyn Macgill (FBIA)

Executive Officer

safesustainableseafood@gmail.com

M 0405 437 458

Carolyn.Macgill@aigroup.com.au

M 0401 963 013

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

NSW Aquaculture Association Inc

MR RUSSELL SYDENHAM

Ordinary Committee Member
NSW Aquaculture Association Inc

&

Member of the Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee of NSW
52 Shearers Road, Hanging Rock NSW 2340

russellsydenham@gmail.com

P 02 6769 3665
M 0414 860 802

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

Professional Fishermen’s Association

MS TRICIA BEATTY

Chief Executive Officer

Professional Fishermen’s Association Inc.
69 Marina Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

ceo@pfai.com.au

P 6652 7374
M 0429 303 371
F 6652 7435

 

3 Dec  2020
30 Nov 2023

Seafood wholesale / processing sector

(Tassal Group Ltd / De Costi Seafoods)

 

MS OLIVIA CHURCHILL

National Quality Manager, Salmon and Seafood De Costi Seafoods (Holdings) Pty Ltd
47 Bachell Avenue,
Lidcombe NSW 2141

Alt. rep: Lisa Keating

Senior Manager - Responsible Business

olivia.churchill@tassal.com.au

M 0438 193 537
P 02 9646 7622

lisa.keating@tassal.com.au

M 0400 147 274
P 03 6264 7074  

 

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia

MR KERRY STRANGAS

President, The Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia
Locked Bag 247, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Alt rep: Mr Michael Kitchener

Executive Officer

kerry@mfma.com.au

P 9552 3335
M 0418 211 247

michael@mfma.com.au

M 0421 017 802

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov  2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries

MS MELISSA WALKER

Team Leader, Aquatic Biosecurity Policy & Programs NSW
Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Locked Bag 1 Nelson Bay NSW 2316

Alt. rep: Dr Jeffrey Go

melissa.walker@dpi.nsw.gov.au

P 02 4916 3911
M 0439 312 095
F 02 4916 3979

 

jeffrey.go@dpi.nsw.gov.au

P 02 4640 6310

 

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries

 

DR HELEN SCHAEFER

Team Leader Animal Welfare Policy & Programs
105 Prince Street, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800

helen.schaefer@dpi.nsw.gov.au

M 0429 476 136

 

3 Dec 2020
30 No 2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries

DR SARAH BRITTON

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer and Group Director Animal Biosecurity NSW Department of Primary Industries Biosecurity & Food Safety NSW
Locked Bag 21
Orange NSW 2800

sarah.britton@dpi.nsw.gov.au

P 6391 3410
M 0412 574 986

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov  2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries

MR GREG VAKACI

Director, Compliance & Integrity Systems
6 Avenue of the Americas
Newington NSW 2127

greg.vakaci@dpi.nsw.gov.au

P 02 9741 4807
M 0427 427 454

 

3 Dec 2020
30 Nov 2023

NSW Department of Primary Industries

DR LISA SZABO

Director Food Safety & CEO NSW Food Authority
6 Avenue of the Americas
Newington NSW 2127

lisa.szabo@dpi.nsw.gov.au

P 02 9741 4700
M 0434 317 799

 

3 December 2020

30 November 2023

Contact

Enquiries regarding the SIF can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative or the NSW Food Authority helpline at: