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Key seafood industry issues thrashed out (FoodWeek Online 9/9/09)

The National Seafood Industry Leadership Program has discussed uniting all sectors of the seafood industry under one banner with the Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, Tony Burke.

"The meeting was a success with the Minister seeing eye-to-eye with the leadership group on several key issues facing the future of our industry," said Anni Conn, 2009 NSILP participant and business manager for Seafarm Aquaculture.

"Minister Burke spoke about the need for a coordinated approach when promoting seafood and the industry.  He stressed the importance of stakeholders playing a proactive role in implementing strategies which would ensure the long-term success of all key sectors," Conn said.

NSILP is the only national seafood industry-specific leadership program.  It is designed to equip participants with relevant skills, networks and a well rounded industry perspective, allowing them to make informed decisions about the future of the seafood industry in this country.

The 2009 NSILP group's principle objective is to unite all sectors of the industry under the banner of the Australian 'seafood community'.

Participants in the program - there are 17 this year - have spent the last six months meeting industry leaders and key stakeholders through mentoring, information sessioons and various networking events.

The program is now in its ninth year.  It is delivered by Rural Training Initiatives and funded through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) on behalf of the Federal Government.  The program's major sponsor is Sydney Fish Market.

The program concludes on 10 September 2009 with a project presentation and graduation dinner in Canberra.