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Fisherman of the Year sponsored by Lobster Australia and Austral Fisheries
Neil Dorrington is a rock lobster fisherman, who works the west coast waters between Fremantle and Jurien Bay.
Neil delivers 100% of his product, live and this is vital for the important Japanese export market.
He is innovative, and recently developed his own "lobster deck counter" which assists operators at sea to more accurately access their catch for research purposes.
And while he excels on the ocean, the thing that makes him stand out in a very respected group of entrants, is the time and effort he takes to participate in industry and fisheries management.
He has been president of the Central West Coast Professional fishermen's Association, a member of the Transport Minister's Fishing Industry Advisory Committee, the Transport Infrastructure working group, the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee, a director of the Geraldton Fishermen's Co-op and more.
Renowned for his enthusiasm and tenacity, we congratulate Neil Dorrington... 2000 Fisherman of the Year.
Major Industry Contributor
sponsored by Kailis Bros
Dr Donald Hancock
Dr Donald Hancock was head of Fisheries WA Research from 1971 to 1986. He was a major catalyst for change in the approach taken to research in this State, change, which has led to the world-class reputation enjoyed by Fisheries WA today.
Dr Hancock focused on the need for information to come direct from fishermen. He introduced a voluntary at-sea logbook and an at-sea observer programme to help validate the information collected from the logbooks.
This direct link with grassroots fishers not only provided more information but also gave fishermen a greater understanding and confidence in the results of the research.
He recruited widely and wisely. Introducing new professionals to the research team, including mathematicians, and new techniques, including modelling. He gave the research agency a link to the fishing industry around the world, which has been important for peer review of research outcomes.
Dr Donald Hancock, has been a major contributor to maintaining WA fish stocks at sustainable levels, we owe him our appreciation and thanks.
Fresh Fish Shop sponsored by Westfish
Kailis Bros Fish Fish Market
The new Kailis Bros Fish Market in Oxford Street, Leederville, opened in January this year, incorporating a licensed seafood cafe. The new building was nominated as a finalist in the prestigious RAIA Architectural Awards and is the fourth market owned and operated by the family, in a tradition that spans three generations.
The judges congratulated Kailis Bros for their range of product, their service and presentation. In particular they highlighted their almost fanatical attention to hygiene and cleanliness,and this, as a recent consumer survey detailed, is of paramount importance in the eyes of the customer.
Research and Development Award sponsored by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the WAFIC Research and Development Program
Lance and Gavin Hand - Diamantina Fishing Company
Together Lance Hand, and son Gavin, have pioneered the development of a new snow crab fishery in waters extending from Augusta to Exmouth.
The Hands initially fished for King Crabs off the coast of Albany . This was marginal at best - and they began to search in deeper waters for Snow Crabs. The closer they got to Augusta, the more snow crabs they found. They sold their South Coast Licence and bought a West coast licence and began their intensive search for the Snow Crab.
This search involved a high level of personal and financial risk, and was a project that involved everything from stock research, to capture and handling technology to marketing. They faced problems one by one. Today they have lowered the mortality rate of snow crabs from 50% down to 5% and have established a small but strong market in Asia and the US.
There is still a lot to learn about the snow crab but the work done by Lance and Gavin Hand, have laid the foundations of a new fishery and the judges salute their outstanding achievement.
Marketing Award sponsored by BankWest
MG Kailis Group
The MG Kailis Group's prawning business is based at Exmouth, where environmental conditions produce a darker coloured tiger prawn. The Japanese market has always classified this an inferior product and paid substantially lower prices.
The challenge was to re-position the Exmouth Tiger Prawn away from the discounted supermarkets and into the premium end of the market. To achieve this they had to pioneer the new market and explain why their unique environmental conditions produced a better prawn.
The judges were impressed by the company's approach to working with Japanese consultants and the time spent talking to end users, including executive chefs and managers of five star hotels.
With the aid of new equipment a new 1kg pack was developed to meet the special requirements of the premium market, new brochures were produced and a group of key decision makers from Japan were invited to visit the Exmouth factory and see how the prawns were delivered daily for fresh freezing.
Demand now exceeds supply and the price has increased by 20%.
Business of the Year sponsored by Pearl Producers Association
Sealanes
Established in 1923, Sealanes is a family owned business that has dramatically accelerated its expansion in recent years.
In 1972 it employed 20 people, today it has a turnover of $80 million, employs 240 people, has a delivery fleet of 80 vehicles and its accreditation certificates included 1SO 9002, HACCP and AQIS.
They now have branches in Karratha, Port Hedland and Darwin, and sell fresh and frozen seafood nationally and internationally and supply cruise and navy ships worldwide.
Seven years ago they re-opened their seafood market which operates 7-days a week catering to the local market. A 7,000 pallet cold-store facility is under construction.
Sealanes recently won an Australian Family Business of the Year Award, and now they add Business of the Year 2000 Award, to their collection.
Environment Award
sponsored by Geraldton Fishermens'
Co-Operative Society
Western Rock Lobster Fishery
Seafood Quality Award sponsored by Fisheries WA
Catalano Seafoods
Catalanos well documented, third party audited quality systems, which were supported by strong strategic and policy documentation, was impressive.
They operate under the status of a fully Approved Quality Assurance program and were the first to apply for a pilot project to implement SQF2000 standards.
Catalanos has also worked hard to develop new European markets for some of our lower value species from the Pilbara Trawl fishery.
The company has recently extended the shelf life of most products by three days by vacuum packing and storing in ice slurry.
As they celebrate their 30th anniversary, we congratulate Catalanos.
Safety & Training Award sponsored by Transport Marine Safety
The Apprentice and Traineeship Company - Midwest
MidWest successfully introduced a twelve-month traineeship program for the rock lobster industry in Geraldton.
The traineeship provided a structured programme for young people wanting to enter the industry. Skippers nominated their trainees to attend a pre-season induction, which focussed on occupational, health and safety issues, and a five-week intensive course on essential seamanship skills.
They worked with their skippers for the season. Whilst at sea their progress was monitored by the skipper and Midwest and both endorsed the trainee's logbook.
"Classroom" activities were completed at the Mid West College of TAFE. Graduates were presented with a level two vocational education and training certificate and all are expected to find work next year.
The judges congratulate MidWest and hope that other members of the industry will be inspired to create similar programmes.
Media Award - Print
Michael Zekulich - The West Australian
Media Award - Radio
Jenny Seaton and Gary Carvolth Show - 6PR
Media Award - Television
Just Add Water - Channel 9
Media Award - Best Cooking
Perth Weekly
Sunday Times People' Choice Awards
These awards were voted for by readers of the fine wine & food lift-out.
Best Fish and Chip Shop
Regional - Codrocks Busselton
Metropolitan - Groper and His Wife
TOP 5 Fish & Chips - Metropolitan
Groper and His Wife - City Beach
Cicerellos - Fremantle
Kailis Fish Market Cafe- Fremantle
Tailor Made - Morley
Swish and Chips Mt Lawley
TOP 5 Fish and Chips Shops - Regional
Codrocks Seafood Shop - Kent St Busselton
Flatheads Fish Supply - Kalgoorlie
Urchins - Margaret River
Jettys Sea Shack - Kalbarri
Fancy Fish- Exmouth
Best Seafood Dish in a Restaurant
Regional - Thai Chilli Squid Cellos - Albany
Metropolitan - Garlic Prawns - Witches Cauldron - Subiaco
Top 5 Seafood Dishes In Restaurant - Metropolitan
Garlic Prawns - Witches Cauldron, Subiaco
Dhufish Wings - Aristos, Nedlands
Seafood Yumbowl - Sails, Fremantle
Lobster Mornay - Simons, Northbridge
Grilled Calamari - Trigg Island Cafe
Top 5 Seafood Dishes In A Restaurant - Regional
Thai Chilli Squid - Cellos Albany
Seafood Platter - Cosenzas Bunbury
Equal third:
Red Emperor Wings - Driftwood, Yallingup; Honey Emperor - Finlays Restaurant, Kalbarri; BBQ Threadfin Salmon - Rositas, Broome
Fred Connell Research Scholarship
Howard Gray
for his thesis on the history of the Rock Lobster Fishery in Western Australia.
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