Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (13:45): Who does not love seafood fresh from our oceans and streams? The Victorian Seafood Industry Awards were held recently, and many of my Gippsland businesses were recognised for their awards, as were others. The San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op, recognised for their commitment to sustainable high-quality seafood, received three awards: the Business Award, Young Achiever Award and Take-Away Award. I have enjoyed their fare. Other exceptional winners were Off the Wharf in Lakes Entrance – I have enjoyed their fare as well. There was the Research, Development and Extension Award, won by Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation; the Environment Award, Corner Inlet Fisheries Habitat Association; the Seafood Experience, TIDAL festival, San Remo; an honourable mention to Jake and Katie Cripps from the Port Albert Fish & Chip Co for their takeaway seafood; the Primary Producer Award (Wild Catch), Victorian Abalone Australia; the Primary Producer Award, Ocean Road Abalone; R and D, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies; the Young Achiever Award, Emily Dove; and the Russell Frost Industry Ambassador Award, Luke Anedda. I just want to thank you all very much, those people in the whole food chain, for being out in the ocean, in our streams, in that production we so enjoy. We benefit our lifestyle and our health by eating fresh seafood.