FISH NAMES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Research Portfolio Manager
For over 20 years Adrianne has worked across commercial fisheries research and management and aquatic habitat conservation having worked within state and federal fisheries management agencies and the commercial fishing industry. Much of her work has involved directly engaging with the fishing industry, particularly in regard to bycatch and threatened species mitigation, co-management and research.
Job Titles:
- Research Portfolio Manager
Job Titles:
- Digital Communications Officer
Blair is creative with a passion for good design and narratives that leave a lasting impression. He comes from a varied background and has worked in industries such as aviation, universities and cyber security. Out of the office, Blair enjoys gardening, wine and of course - feasting on Australian seafood.
Job Titles:
- General Manager Finance and Business
Cheryl joined the FRDC in April 2004 as Office Administrator, and is now the General Manager Finance and Business. She comes from an extensive background in Finance Management, Human Resources, Governance and Compliance. Her role is to lead the Finance and Business team to deliver the corporate services for FRDC including Company Secretary functions.
has worked in the food industry since 1987 in diverse roles from the processing floor to Australian Government Departments to private consulting and for multiple certification bodies. Her work has taken her to live in four countries and to conduct auditing work in 14. She has a deep understanding of standards development, and certification process and requirements, and her current role is as Executive Manager-Technical Solutions for Integrity Compliance Solutions. Clare has worked across numerous industries including poultry (meat and eggs) and seafood. In addition to her significant relevant skills and knowledge, Clare brings to the Chair role a personal passion to see a thriving seaweed industry in Australia. One of her recent publications is AgriFutures' 2022, 'Development of a seaweed food safety program - to meet the requirements of FSANZ and third-party hazard analysis and critical control points certification.' Clare's qualifications include an MBA, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology) and an Export Management Diploma.
Crispian joined the FRDC in February 2002, starting as a Project Manager before taking over as the Program Manager in June 2005. Formerly with Victoria's Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute as a senior field scientist, he worked with industry on various FRDC projects assessing bycatch reduction measures in the South East Trawl fishery. Prior to this, he worked with New South Wales Fisheries on bycatch issues in the South East Trawl, estuarine prawn and finfish haul fisheries.
He has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fisheries Technology from the Australian Maritime College and a Graduate Diploma in Biological Science from the University of New South Wales.
Job Titles:
- Extension Officer ( TAS )
David studied fishing gear technology at the Australian Maritime College. He has worked in the seafood processing sector as a microbiologist/export officer, as a research scientist with the South Australian rock lobster industry, and as a lecturer and trainer at the Australian Maritime College and the University of Tasmania. Most recently David was the Senior Curator Natural Sciences at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, Tasmania, working on biodiversity and climate science and anthropogenic impacts. David is passionate about the marine environment and the seafood industry.
Job Titles:
- Research Portfolio Manager
Deepika has joined the FRDC with a degree in Animal Science from Charles Sturt University and Masters in Marine and Antarctic Science from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies. With a focus on R+D, her recent professional endeavors have centered on advancing commercial Murray cod farming in regional NSW.
Job Titles:
- Communication Coordinator
Dempsey has joined FRDC with a background in marketing communication and business. He has been involved previously in brand management and strategic communication projects.
Dennis has experience working with Research and Development Corporations since 2006 delivering technology solutions and innovation to industry and regional areas. Examples include the extensionAUS TM digital extension platform to transform the way farmers source and digest information. Dennis is passionate in using user-centered interaction design to create efficient and practical digital products, focused on meeting the needs and optimising the experience of the users.
Dr Alecia Bellgrove (Expert Member - Academia) is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology and Ecology in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Centre for Integrative Ecology at Deakin University Warrnambool Campus, and teaches into the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology). Alecia heads up the Deakin Seaweed Research Group, which focuses on research to inform the development of a sustainable seaweed industry for south-eastern Australia, and conservation of natural seaweed ecosystems, whilst increasing public awareness and guardianship of the amazing and gorgeous seaweed flora we have in our region. Alecia completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours and then a PhD in seaweed ecology at Monash University, before travelling to Japan for a Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship. She spent 3 years living and working in Japan as a postdoctoral researcher and has maintained research ties with Japanese colleagues and connections to the Japanese aquaculture industry. Her experience of living and working in Japan led her into the wonderful world of seaweed cuisine. The intersection of her lived personal experiences, passions for great nutritious food and the environment, and her expertise in seaweed biology and ecology have converged to direct her research program in sustainable nutrition solutions through the use of Australian seaweeds.
Rus Glover (Expert Member - Industry) has been a director of the Australian Native Foods and Botanicals (ANFAB) peak industry body since 2007, bringing experience in agriculture, horticulture and research. He is currently the Deputy Chair and Research Director. Rus has a background in coastal and estuarine ecology and has produced several coastal and estuarine plant guides to identification, propagation and rehabilitation of coastal ecosystems. Rus owns Woolgoolga Rainforest Products, a business that specialises in the commercial production of Riberries, Rosella, Aniseed Myrtle, Lemon Aspen and Davidson Plums on the north coast of NSW. This was set up to provide year-round reliable supply of Australian native produce. He owns and manages Glovers Tubes that grows native tube stock, particularly fruit species, and aims to select and breed better commercial varieties. He is also a Qualified Person with IP Australia and as such prepares applications for Plant Breeders Rights specialising in Australian native species. From a farming and horticultural background, Rus is passionate about the growing and use of native foods that include all the Australian aquatic salt and freshwater plants and algae that have been used by the indigenous community for millennia.
Job Titles:
- Research Portfolio Manager
Carolyn grew up on a sheep and cattle property in the Western District of Victoria. Prior to commencing her university studies, Carolyn worked with State Government assisting the local farming community with disease management of livestock. Carolyn has completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of New England, and a PhD at the Australian National University in the field of marine science. While doing her PhD, Carolyn worked extensively with the South African fishing industry.
From 2003 to 2008, Carolyn work as a scientist at the Bureau of Rural Sciences, in the Fisheries and Marine Sciences Program. In this position, Carolyn also worked on the BRS Fisheries Status Reports and is a recipient of the Alison Furbank Award for Communications Excellence in 2007 for work with the fishing industry. Over 12 months Carolyn was on secondment with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority working on Marine Bioregional Planning before joining the FRDC in May 2009. Outside of work Carolyn enjoys teaching Marine Biology and camping with her family.
Job Titles:
- Acting Chair
- Appointed Director from 1 September 2021
Chris has over 35 years' expertise working with the fishing and seafood industry and associated stakeholders. Roles included senior resource management positions within government, Operations Manager at an award winning export focussed seafood company, and for the last 20+ years as Director of C-AID Consultants, an independent consultancy. Chris has formal training in resource management, business and seafood processing.
In government Chris managed multi-disciplinary Aquatic Resource Programs covering teams that were responsible for wild harvest resource management, marine parks and environment, data management, education, legislation, recreational research, as well as coordinating a large range of external projects. Chris represented the NT, or chaired a number of committees and boards, on behalf of Government.
From 2001 onwards, Chris has been involved in a wide range of consultancies and projects of varying size and complexity. He has worked with all sectors of the fishing and seafood industry, including Indigenous, wild harvest, aquaculture, post-harvest and recreational sectors, government agencies, NGOs and researchers, to build capacity and develop innovative sustainable management and research solutions and outcomes across diverse groups.
He specialises in work involving inshore wild harvest species, tropical aquaculture species and has extensive experience working with First Nations people. Chris chairs a number of groups and acts as a representative on committees and boards on behalf of industry groups and clients, and has overseen or been involved in over 50 national and international projects.
Chris practices a participatory approach to ensure that outputs and outcomes provide real solutions to complex and often competing needs, and are in a form that can be readily used. He also seeks to build capacity and leadership in all of his roles.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Portfolio Manager
Chris is part of the FRDC Adelaide Office as a full time Senior Research Portfolio Manager. Chris has a diverse research background in fisheries and fish biology, obtaining his doctorate at the University of Adelaide, having worked on various commercial species ranging from cockles to sharks.
Dr John M. Huisman (Deputy Chair & Expert Member - Academia) is Curator at the Western Australian Herbarium, part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. He earned his PhD at the University of Melbourne in 1986, where he developed his interests in the taxonomy of marine macroalgae under the supervision of Gerry Kraft. After moving to Perth, John worked for several years at Murdoch University, then a sojourn to the Hawaiian Islands in 2002-2003 before returning to Western Australia and eventually taking up his current position in 2016. His ongoing lifelong project is to document (by description and photographically) the seaweeds of Australia's west coast. John has written nine books describing various aspects of marine plant life, including Marine Plants of Australia (2000, revised editions in 2019 and 2023), Hawaiian Reef Plants, and three volumes in the Algae of Australia series, the most recent (2015, 2018) describing the marine flora of tropical Western Australia. In addition, he has authored more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters, plus numerous general interest articles. John's books have twice been awarded the Prescott Award, presented by the Phycological Society of America and recognising the best book dedicated to phycology published in the previous two years. John is also a keen underwater photographer and his images can be widely seen in books and on websites. He is currently preparing an interactive key to the more than 600 genera of Australian seaweeds.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director
- Appointed Director from 1 September 2021
Dr Lyndal Thorburn is a non-executive director with current roles on Charles Sturt University Council and the Regional Development Australia (ACT) Board, in addition to FRDC. With over 30 years' Board experience, she applies skills in business management, science and technology and its commercialisation, economics, innovation and entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, finance and public administration.
Prior to her Board career, Lyndal worked as an evaluation specialist for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, spent 17 years in government agencies and government business enterprises, and had many years mentoring technology commercialisation and startup strategy and capital raising. Lyndal initially trained as a biologist and completed a PhD exploring regional, national and global innovation networks of Australian technology-based firms.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a member of the Institute of Public Accountants. Lyndal was born in Sydney but has lived for the last 40 years in regional NSW and has work experience in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Patrick Hone is Managing Director of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), a member of the National Marine Science Committee (NMSC), a member of the Australian Fisheries Management Forum, Chair of the Seafood Industry Safety Initiative, Australian Agrifood Data Exchange Advisory Council and a member of the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations (CRRDC). Patrick has held board positions on the Aquafin CRC and Seafood CRC. Patrick has extensive knowledge of all sectors of the fishing and aquaculture sectors. He has more than 25 years working for the FRDC, and has played a key role in the planning, management and funding of fishing and aquaculture related research, development and extension in Australia. In recent years Patrick has become one of Australia's leading spokespeople on the role of marine and aquatic science, and evidence based decision making.
Patrick has a PhD from Adelaide University. Patrick previously worked for South Australian Department of Fisheries and then the newly formed South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Patrick has worked on a wide range of research including on Southern Bluefin Tuna, Pacific Oysters, Blue Mussels, Yellowtail Kingfish and Abalone.
Dr Pia Winberg (Expert Member - Industry) is the CEO & Chief Scientist at Venus Shell Systems Pty Ltd, the CEO of PhycoHealth Pty Ltd and Honorary Fellow - School of Medicine, University of Wollongong. Pia has worked across sustainable marine industry development and academia for the past 20 years. Her focus has moved from research to applied technology development in integrating marine food production systems with the environment, to deliver potent nutritional benefits to society. Her research was founded in the 1990's in integrated tropical aquaculture systems that utilised seaweed to remediate waste nutrients from Tiger Prawn aquaculture farms and developed to include research in temperate fish and shellfish systems. However, Pia's PhD research focused on marine systems ecology, and now she is focused on applying this knowledge to sustainable marine food production systems. Pia believes that nutrition and food is a key opportunity for a transition to a more sustainable future, and the oceans and especially seaweeds are a platform that can deliver on that if approached wisely. In this way, Pia has undertaken over a decade of research of seaweed species in Australia and explored diverse production methods, as well as undertaken human clinical trials on seaweed for metabolic health. Pia has embarked on the development of a seaweed industry for Australia, and founded Venus Shell Systems for the production of seaweed, and PhycoHealth for the development and delivery of seaweed products to the market. Both companies are developing on the south coast of NSW.
Job Titles:
- Professional Director and Chair
- Reappointed Director from 1 September 2021
Dr Saranne Cooke is a professional director and chair with experience on a variety of boards across the education, health, sport, financial and not-for-profit sectors. Saranne is Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, a Racing NSW Board Member, a HESTA Trustee Board member, a Director of the Western NSW Primary Health Network, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern) and Director of Leading Age Services Australia.
Dr Cooke has held a number of senior roles within the energy, financial, education and manufacturing industries. She completed her doctorate researching board governance across the ASX 200 companies. Dr Cooke also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business (Marketing), and a Master of Commercial Law. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, a Certified Practising Marketer and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
Job Titles:
- Principal Policy Analyst at the Victorian Fisheries Authority
Dr Sonia Talman (Fisheries Agencies appointee) is a Principal Policy Analyst at the Victorian Fisheries Authority, working in fisheries policy and management since 2005. Prior to that, Sonia worked at the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute as Subprogram Leader for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, managing the Integrated Scientific Monitoring Program (ISMP), which provided observer services and port-based measuring from Queensland through to South Australia. Sonia completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours at Monash University and a PhD at the University of Melbourne. She then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship on scallop fisheries at the New Zealand Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Sonia has also worked at the Museum of Victoria and for the US Forest and Wildlife Service in Alaska. Sonia joined the Fish Names Committee in 2020 as the delegate for the Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF), co-ordinating input from fisheries agencies across Australia on behalf of the AFMF Chair.
Toby has a background in fisheries biology, including the age and growth, reproductive biology, acoustic telemetry, and freshwater fish surveys.
Felicity grew up in a commercial fishing family who were involved in rock lobster, wet line and trawl fisheries in WA's mid-west region. Felicity worked at WAFIC for a number of years representing commercial fisheries across WA on a range of resource access issues. More recently, Felicity worked with the Shark Bay Prawn Trawler Operators' Association as EO and held Director positions on the ACPF and WAFIC Boards. Felicity is an avid recreational fisher and a strong advocate for sustainable and profitable fisheries and continued supply of local seafood.
Glenn Austin (Expert Member - Hospitality) has 35 years of skills in the making; he is a leader, the first Australian to sit on the World Board of Chefs, and a life member of world chefs. He is unique, creative and pragmatic, and has a string of international awards. As business development chef to five hotel brands and three global food companies, Glenn is recognised around the world as an important and influential service to the food industry. He twice won the "most relevant person" to then Yum corporation, one of the world's largest restaurant groups. He has managed three culinary Olympic teams and has personally represented Australia internationally in multiple positions for three decades. Glenn has been interviewed by Australian financial icons for his success in positioning Australian companies internationally, and he has brilliantly combined high-level cooking skills and global business development. Glenn has worked in all forms of media with early television appearances and more recently a weekly radio spot, a columnist and author. Glenn regularly contributed to trade publications and holds the title of "most popular writer" for Australia's largest leading Industry publication for 15 years. A dedicated following by the food industry internationally still makes Glenn a sought-after consultant. His role on the FNC utilises all his experience to help guide the committee through the maze of seafood issues that arise, and better equip them to service the hospitality sector.
Job Titles:
- APNC Project Manager
- FNC Project Manager
Gordon Yearsley (FNC Project Manager) (known widely as ‘Gus') has worked in the field of fish systematics and seafood names since the late 1980's. He has a Science Degree with a double major in Zoology and Botany, and an Honours Degree in the systematics of Australian stingarees. He studied at the University of Tasmania and then worked as a fish taxonomist at CSIRO in Hobart for about 20 years. He was also seconded for a time to the DPI in Queensland. Gus has authored and co-authored dozens of scientific papers, books and reports, and has given scientific names to more than fifteen Australian and South-East Asian fishes. These have included species of stingrays, sharks, oreodories and scorpionfishes. Three of the books as senior editor/author are the Australian Seafood Handbooks (domestic and imported species volumes) and the second edition of the Australian Seafood Users Manual. Knowledge gained during the preparation of these various publications is now applied by Gus in his small scientific editing business. Gus has been involved with the Fish Names Committee and its precursors since the late 1980's and has extensive knowledge and experience regarding the process of establishing and managing a names standard under the auspices of Standards Australia. After providing technical advice to the committee as a representative of CSIRO for many years, he was appointed to the committee as an Expert Member. In 2023, Gus resigned his Committee position to become Project Manager. Gus is also chairman and/or board member of a number of charities and not-for-profits.
Gus Dannoun (Independent Chair) is the Executive Manager - Seafood Trading at Sydney Fish Market (SFM) Pty Ltd, a role he has held since September 2016. During his time at the market, which commenced in December 1981 with the NSW Fish Marketing Authority (a government trading enterprise privatised in October 1994), Gus has held a number of senior positions including that of IT Manager, Assistant to the General Manager and Supply Manager. In his 40 years in the seafood industry, Gus's network of contacts and associations extends from catching and production sectors to post-harvest in Australia and New Zealand, industry associations, government and training bodies. Gus commenced his association with Fish Names in the mid-1990's, initially attending meetings as an observer, followed by his appointment as Seafood Industry Peak Body appointee until July 2014 when he was appointed as Independent Chair. Although having a background in Information Technology, Gus's principal role with SFM today is to source and co-ordinate the supply of seafood to the market as well as being the primary point of contact for all suppliers (domestic and international) managing operations (namely SFM's auction) and the company's fishing quota portfolio. Before turning his hand to the seafood trading activities of SFM, Gus was closely involved in the successful introduction of the Dutch auction clock system in 1989. His work on this project covered every facet from research through to design and development. In 2000, he was involved in the introduction of SFMlive, an internet-based business-to-business solution for the seafood industry. Gus quips about his change in career paths from IT to Seafood as "moving from chips to fish"!! Outside of SFM and his role with FNC, Gus is the Chair of the NSW Fishing Industry Council and was until recently Treasurer for South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA).
Hamish Allen (Expert Member - Major Supermarkets) has worked in retail his entire working life. He started at Franklins in Nowra in the mid 1990's as a night-fill worker, before being absorbed into the Woolworths group in the early 2000's. He progressed into a produce management role and subsequently moved into a produce buying position at the Head Office. After spending a few years buying produce, he pursued a career in a commercial role buying seafood and has over 15 years in seafood buying and merchandising. The role Hamish now takes on within the seafood department at Woolworths is vast and ranges from staff training, product purchasing, merchandising development and space allocation. Hamish is now seen as a senior member of the seafood team and has a passion for all things seafood. He is committed to increasing seafood consumption in Australia and raising both the quality and customer experience of seafood. Hamish has a Bachelor of Commerce from Wollongong University. He has been a member of the Australian Fish Names Committee since 2012 in the role of Expert Member - Major Supermarkets. He continues to provide insights and guidance relating to the supermarket retail environment.
James Ashmore (Expert Member - Industry) is the owner of Ashmore Foods Tasmania Pty Ltd, Tasea Oysters Pty Ltd and a Director at Kai Ho Ocean Treasure Pty Ltd. He has been involved in the seafood and hospitality industry for more than 30 years and brings practical, commercial experience as a mariner (Master Class 5), Commercial Diver and Scale Fisherman (Class A). James runs his seafood wholesale and retail business in Hobart, Tasmania (Ashmores Southern Fish Market). James started Kai Ho Ocean Treasure with Craig Sanderson and together they harvest, process and market Tasmanian native and introduced sea vegetables. This journey involved dealing with Government and academia to allow the start of the harvests while developing markets locally and interstate. Meanwhile, Ashmores HACCP processing facility offers state-of-the-art processing and packaging services for the further development and value adding of sea vegetable products.
Job Titles:
- Extension Officer Manager
Jamie has a diverse background in agricultural extension, community engagement, planning and evaluation. He has previously worked as a coastal and marine facilitator and more recently has completed a national evaluation of extension. Jamie is passionate about the outdoors and especially sailing and surfing.
For more information about the Extension Officer Network, please contact Transformational Extension and Adoption Manager Jamie Allnutt at jamie.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partnerships Manager
Job Titles:
- Communications and Public Affairs Manager With Seafood Industry Australia
Jessica McInerney (Seafood Industry Australia appointee) is a seasoned public affairs and engagement professional with more than fifteen years of experience dedicated to advocating for the agricultural sector, and food and fibre producers. Jessica is the Engagement Manager for the Futures of Seafood study, a contemporary and holistic approach to profiling Australian seafood today and envisioning what seafood could look like tomorrow. Having served as Manager of National Rural Issues at AgriFutures Australia, she excels in establishing effective relationships with key stakeholders, and addressing national challenges and opportunities through collaborative research and adoption strategies.
Previously, as Communications and Public Affairs Manager with Seafood Industry Australia, Jessica led national initiatives, government engagement, and policy development efforts, contributing to significant achievements such as securing grant funding and helping to influence landmark legislation, including country of origin labelling for seafood sold in hospitality. Outside of her professional roles, Jessica actively engages in volunteer work to drive positive change in the food and fibre sectors. Jessica is also a proud graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and an alumnus of the Women in Seafood Australasia board.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Portfolio Manager
Kate Birch (Expert Member - Seafood Marketing) has extensive experience across international and national seafood markets, specialising in new product and market development, export and sales. Over the past 20 years, Kate has passionately dedicated her working life to the growth and sustainability of the South Australian food industry, which also included a stint in London at the Office of the Agent General for the Government of South Australia as the Food and Wine Export Manager. As General Manager for the Ferguson Australia Group, Kate is responsible for operations from harvest through to the sales, marketing and distribution of Australian seafood to wholesalers, retailers, and food service and end consumers. Ferguson Australia Group has three seafood focussed brands. Historically focussed on export markets, Ferguson Australia launched a domestic frozen retail ready fish pack range, which has seen the range grow from 7 to 16 SKUs in a little over 24 months. Kate has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide and a Diploma of Market Research. Kate has also represented the industry across various South Australian food and beverage bodies, and held positions on South Australian Government advisory committees, including the South Australian Seafood Advisory Forum and Rock Lobster Fishery Management Advisory Committee.
Kris grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW, and spends any available time in and around the water. After completing his honours in Marine Science and Management, Kris has worked in a wide range of roles across the fisheries and marine sector. These include as a fisheries researcher and technician, commercial fisheries observer, rec fishing retail manager, aquaculture technician and field technician for on-country aquatic conservation research with Traditional Owners and Rangers. Kris is passionate about connecting people and projects that strengthen the resilience of both our aquatic habitats and the communities that rely on them.
Job Titles:
- General Manager Stakeholder Engagement
Lauren's professional journey has been dedicated to bridging the gap between people and the natural world. With experience in community engagement and natural resource management, she has been privileged to provide interpretation and education to a diverse range of stakeholders, including Aboriginal communities, scientists, media, community groups, tourists and schools.
She is experienced in facilitating events, conducting workshops, presentations and attending events across Australia, particularly fishing shows, to connect with people and share knowledge on topics such as eco-friendly fishing practices.
Job Titles:
- R & D Business Support Officer
Leah previously worked at the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre (Seafood CRC) for five years and her background is in Training and Office Management.
Lisa McKenzie (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) appointee) currently works for the Dairy, Egg, Fish Export Program within the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as an Assistant Director and the recently appointed Seafood Export Facilitator, providing assistance to the seafood industry - helping with documentation and registration, getting new exporters on the front foot when exporting their goods, and showing existing exporters how to expand and diversify their markets. Lisa has been a member of the Fish Names Committee since 2016 and an active participant in the seafood industry since the late 1980's when she ran away to sea after completing a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art). The majority of Lisa's working career has been seafood related and ranges from deck work, on-board quality assurance, export processing, vessel ownership to delivering seafood HACCP training and working with industry in positions in both the state and commonwealth governments. Lisa holds a variety of qualifications in the field, including food auditing, seafood processing and Frontline Management, has travelled extensively and cannot go past a fish market without investigating. Lisa provides the Committee with current, practical advice in relation to the fish names applied to fish and fish products for export from Australia, which export legislation requires to comply with the requirements of the Australian Fish Names Standard.
Mark Boulter (Deputy Chair and Food and Beverage Importers Association appointee) has been involved in fisheries since the 1980's, starting his career as a deckhand on small inshore trawlers in the UK. He has a fisheries science degree from Plymouth University (UK) and post-university worked for the Seafish Industry Authority in the UK on food safety and quality projects. After emigrating to Australia in 2001 he worked in Seafood QA roles for the Sydney Fish Market for many years. In recent years, Mark has been involved nationally and internationally with the global seafood trading sector, at the interface between trade and QA/importation compliance matters. He is the recent past president of the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), having chaired the 2019 Penang World Seafood Congress. Mark currently works for the FBIA (Food and Beverage Importers Association) and also for Bidfood Australia in seafood technical roles. He represents the imported seafood sector on the Fish Names Committee.
Job Titles:
- Extension Officer ( VIC )
Job Titles:
- Digitalisation Insights Officer
Simultaneously, while at the FRDC, Meg is pursuing her undergraduate studies in chemistry and political science at the Australian National University (ANU) and plans to embark on an Honours year in 2025.
Michael Kitchener (Independent Fish Retailers appointee) is the Executive Officer for the Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia and has over 20 years' experience dealing with a wide variety of issues affecting seafood retail businesses. He has also been a Director on the NSW Seafood Industry Council since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Macquarie University, and Graduate Diploma in Fisheries Management, and MBA in Marine Resource Management from the Australian Maritime College. He is also a graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program. Michael has been appointed to the Fish Names Committee to represent independent fish retailers, and has links to the committee dating back to 2001 when he attended his first meeting.
Job Titles:
- Appointed Director from 1 September 2021
Alex Ogg directs the Ocean Energy Program for National Energy Resources Australia and is principal project director for the Australian Ocean Energy Group.
With an extensive professional background in fisheries and aquaculture, Alex pioneered open ocean farming systems in WA and was rewarded with exponential increases in pearl product value as Managing Director of Autore Pearling. Alex served as vice Chair of the Pearl Producer's Association for a decade and was a Ministerial appointee to the Pearling Industry Advisory Committee. Before retiring as COO and subsequently CEO of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council in 2020, Alex worked closely with FRDC, serving as Chair of the WA Fisheries Research Advisory Board and deputy Chair of the WA Research Advisory Committee. Alex helped to form the national peak body, Seafood Industry Australia, acting as deputy Chair of the implementation committee and is a charter member of that body.
Alex holds an MBA from Melbourne University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. He is currently a non-executive director of Regional Development Australia Great Southern and a director of the Australian Microgrid Centre of Excellence, engaged in developing marine renewable energy distribution systems.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Managing Director
- Appointed Director from 1 September 2021
Boris Musa is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Mainstream Aquaculture Group (Mainstream), a vertically integrated producer and supplier of Barramundi. Mainstream is one of the largest suppliers of Barramundi table fish products in Australia under the Infinity Blue Barramundi brands and is the global market leader in the supply of juvenile fish (seed stock) to the Barramundi aquaculture industry, exporting to 27 countries across five continents. Mainstream operates five farms and three Hatcheries in Australia, including the world's largest aquaculture production facility of its type, as well as the world's largest Barramundi hatchery. Mainstream also operates a Barramundi farm in the United States of America servicing the local market, located in Arizona. Boris has been MD & CEO since 2012 and under his stewardship; company value has increased by a multiple of 50 times on a commensurate increase in revenue (compound annual growth rate of circa 50%).
Boris' background is in financial services. Most recently, he spent five years at Macquarie Group, the last two as a Director. Boris is a Non-Executive Director of the Wyndham City Refuse Disposal Business and the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University and is a Deans Scholar in Finance (top 1% of graduates), a Diploma in Natural Resource Management, and a Masters of Applied Finance.
Job Titles:
- Chairman - Retired 9 March 2024
Job Titles:
- Appointed Director from 1 September 2021
Suzi is a banking executive with over 20 years of leadership and management experience in Retail and Commercial finance within the financial services industry. For more than a decade Suzi has specialized in Indigenous banking. Suzi was recognised as the 2013 overall Women of Influence (inaugural winner) for Westpac and a Bicentennial Service Honour recipient in 2017. Suzi is a graduate of the AICD and Women in Leadership at AGSM, and is currently studying an MBA in Social Impact at the University of NSW.
Nathan grew up in a rock lobster fishing family in Port Lincoln regional, South Australia and studied environmental science, majoring in fisheries management. Nathan has worked across a variety of government, no-government, and associations and co-operatives. Roles which have required working closely with key stakeholders to navigate complex natural resource management issues and change.
With a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources (Honours) and experience in fisheries and water management, Nicole has spent seven years at FRDC holding diverse roles, including being a Research Portfolio Manager overseeing multiple Research Advisory Committees (RAC). Nicole is keen to improve the accessibility and utilisation of data for informed decision-making, as reflected through her experience across numerous digitalisation initiatives within the agricultural sector.
Job Titles:
- Executive Support Officer
Phillipa comes to the FRDC with 17 years of experience in accounts and payroll. She was previously with Australian Pork Ltd. She has also run her own bookkeeping business and holds a Diploma of Education.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Finance Manager
- FRDC As the Finance Manager
Priti joined FRDC as the Finance Manager in Feb 2021. Priti is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years experience, providing business advisory and tax compliance to a wide range of clients across many industries. Her experience includes working within private sector and Federal Government Departments. Her personal goal is to ensure that all of her stakeholders feel valued, knowing they are receiving the best possible attention
Job Titles:
- Independent Director and Principal Consultant at Colin Buxton & Associates
- Reappointed Director from 1 September 2021 / Deputy Chair - 10 March 2024
Colin Buxton is an independent director and principal consultant at Colin Buxton & Associates. In 2014 he retired as Director of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coasts Centre at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), where he is now an Adjunct Professor.
Colin has held senior management positions at the Port Elizabeth Museum, Rhodes University and the Australian Maritime College, as well as being the inaugural director of the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) at UTAS.
A fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he has served on the boards of several organisations including the Aquaculture CRC, Finfish CRC and Seafood CRC, Southern Rock Lobster Ltd (chair) and the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority. He is also chair of the National Fisheries Advisory Council (NFAC) and serves on the Tasmanian Marine Farming Review Panel.
Colin has a broad knowledge and experience in coastal marine environments, fisheries and aquaculture and is a frequent consultant and advisor to government and industry in Australia, Africa and the United States. A graduate of the University of Cape Town (Masters cum laude) and Rhodes University (PhD), he is internationally recognised and has published widely on his work on the life histories and effects of exploitation on reef fishes. Much of his research has been focused on understanding the role of Marine Protected Areas as a conservation and fisheries management tool.
Russell Conway (Recreational Fishing appointee) has been a keen and passionate recreational fisher for more than 40 years. He enjoys fishing our quiet country streams and lakes chasing trout and native species just as much as the thrill of fishing for pelagic species around our magnificent coastline. Russell is the President the Metropolitan Anglers Association, Chairman of RecFish Australia, past Chairman of VRFish and a life member of the Greensborough & District Angling Club. In addition to being a member of the Fish Names Committee, Russell provides recreational fishing industry expertise to the Board of the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC), and is a member of the FRDC Recfishing Research Committee. Russell's various roles have provided him with a good understanding of the diverse issues challenging recreational fishers and the importance of effective representation and advocacy to ensure we can all continue to enjoy fishing in the future.
Job Titles:
- Finance Officer
- FRDC As a Finance Officer
Ryan joined the FRDC as a finance officer in 2022. He comes from a background of accounting, finance and business and is committed to responding to stakeholder's needs as effectively as possible.
Job Titles:
- Capacity Capability & Culture Change Manager
Sally is driven by inspiring, enabling and unlocking individual and collective potential through developing people. Sally previously worked at Dairy Australia, leading research and development projects focussing on attracting, retaining and transitioning people to enable a capable workforce and safe, positive workplaces by transforming behaviour and practices.
Prior to dairy, Sally has worked in a variety of roles at the Department Education & Training Victoria and lived in London during the global financial crisis, working for a large charity to support civil society to navigate change, access funding and explore new business structures.
Stephanie joined FRDC in 2013 to assist with records management. Since then, she has expanded her role to include assistance with diverse office administrative activities.
Job Titles:
- Extension Officer ( QLD )
Steve's involvement in the commercial fishing industry commenced 40 years ago catching prawns, scampi, and orange roughy. He was then a fishing technologist at the Australian Maritime College and a research scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Maine, USA. For most of his career, Steve has worked closely with fishers and others to improve fishing gear performance, including bycatch reduction and fuel conservation. Steve is also the Principal Investigator to the SeSAFE project, a nationwide effort to provide online safety training to fishers (www.sesafe.com.au). In his spare time Steve enjoys fishing from his kayak or stand-up paddle boarding.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Affairs Manager
Sue joined FRDC in February 2022. She has extensive experience in senior public affairs roles across several sectors including, grape & wine production, grain production, minerals mining & processing and not-for-profits. Sue has expertise in delivering strategic communications, engagement activities and policy development for diverse stakeholder groups nationally and globally. In her role at FRDC, Sue leads the external communications functions and events for the organisation. She is passionate about developing the skills and knowledge of the Communication team and ensuring that communications outputs are inclusive and relevant to all FRDC stakeholders.
Toby Abbott (Expert Member - Seafood Processors) is the CEO of Westmore Seafoods, based in Western Australia. He has been involved in the West Australian seafood industry for more than 25 years, with roles in many aspects of the industry including retailing, wholesaling, processing and vessel operations. Toby has a strong all-round seafood knowledge and exposure to many markets both domestically and internationally. He has been involved in processing for foodservice markets, and more recently for national retail customers, including management and procurement for both behind the counter sales and shelf ready products. Toby's current role oversees vessel operations in WA and the Northern Territory, along with processing facilities in Fremantle and Shark Bay. He has also been the Chairman of the Shark Bay Prawn Trawl Operators Association since 2019.
Umar Nguyen (Expert Member - Hospitality) is a fully qualified Chef and has worked in the seafood industry for more than 15 years predominantly as a sales executive to wholesalers around Australia and marketing to chefs with her own unique style. Umar started her own business in 2016 with the vision of linking primary producers to chefs around Australia. Umar currently supports chefs by sharing and educating them about primary producers' products with "their stories, providence and catching and/or growing techniques", which can include types of seaweeds.
Although her time in the kitchen is up, and mee goreng is at the top of her list of speciality dishes, her ability to talk chef hasn't changed. This has allowed her to promote her true passion of making use of underutilised seafood in our great country. Umar's passion to share everything seafood from catch to plate is what drives her to find better ways to future-proof the industry and make the underutilised the new normal, trying to get to "zero waste".
Job Titles:
- Research Portfolio Manager
Wayne started with the FRDC in February 2016. He has an extensive background in aquaculture and holds a Master of Applied Science in Aquaculture (Research) from the University of Tasmania. His research career primarily addressed hatchery-related issues ranging from egg supply through to fingerling production of a range of local marine finfish species including Tasmanian Striped Trumpeter, Snapper, King George Whiting, Yellowtail Kingfish, Mulloway and Southern Bluefin Tuna.
In his current Research Portfolio Manager position, he oversees the Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Subprogram and aquaculture sector Industry Partnership Agreements with Oysters Australia, the Australian Prawn Farmers Association, the Pearling Consortium, the Australian Abalone Growers Association and the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association.