A farewell conversation with Phil Ravanello
Phil Ravanello has been with Tuna Australia since 2019 as the Program Manager. With Phil moving on to new adventures in late June 2025, we caught up with him to discuss the highlights of his work over the previous six years.
You’ve been with Tuna Australia since 2019 as a Program Manager. Tell us about your role.
It’s quite a diverse role – I guess you can say I’ve been a jack of all trades.
It has included managing our:
- research projects and MSC certifications
- AFMA size monitoring program contract
- board governance and administration
- grant applications and administration
- energy sector consultations.
I’ve also assisted members in interacting with government departments and represented the industry in various workshops and management forums.
Phil Ravanello on a research trip in 2023.
What’s been your proudest moment during your time with Tuna Australia?
The MSC certifications for the ETBF and SBT are significant achievements for our members. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make these certifications a reality. Helping to put them in place has been very rewarding for me.
What are some of the standout highlights or milestones you’ve been part of?
I’ve enjoyed the sea trips I have done as part of my research. The experience made me appreciate how hard our skippers and deckhands work to catch fish. The teamwork and camaraderie required to live and work in close quarters are truly amazing. We have received fantastic hospitality and support on every research trip.
Tuna Australia has won several awards in recent years. Can you tell us more about those and what they meant to you?
We’ve been lucky to be recognised for the innovative research we have been doing, which is heavily focused on safety and finding better ways to manage our impacts on the environment.
At the QLD Seafood Industry Awards 2024.
Last year, Tuna Australia won two awards at the Queensland Seafood Industry Awards for safety and research, and an award for safety at the Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards. We were finalists for the national awards at Seafood Directions 2024, and Tuna Australia received a Leader for a Living Ocean Award in 2022 from the Marine Stewardship Council.
The awards reflect the industry’s maturity and commitment to continual improvement, and many members have contributed to this work in some way. My satisfaction comes from knowing that we are leading the way globally in best practice longline fishing, and the awards are testimony to this.
Skipper TK with Tuna Australia Program Manager Phil Ravanello.
Have there been any personal achievements you're particularly proud of?
I completed the National Seafood Leadership Program in 2022. This was an intensive course, which was complicated by Covid-19 travel restrictions, meaning that our workload and final presentations had to be done remotely; a first for this leadership program.
It’s an excellent opportunity to work on leadership and collaboration skills, and I made many new connections in the seafood industry from this program, which I still maintain today. I would encourage anyone in a leadership role to complete this course.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy tuna or swordfish — do you have a go-to recipe or dish?
I really enjoy eating tuna as sashimi, ceviche and poke bowls.
On my last sea trip, one of the crew made a ceviche using skipjack tuna. I was initially very sceptical, but it was amazing!!! My tip with ceviche is to put some coconut cream in the mix to tone down the acidity from the lime juice – that way your fussy 14-year-old won’t complain!!
Phil Ravanello and David Ellis at Seafood Directions 2022.
Any final comments?
I’ve enjoyed this job; it has given me opportunities and experiences you cannot find in any other role. The support, encouragement, and guidance from members have been amazing.
While I am moving on to explore new career opportunities outside the fishing industry, I will be cheering on from the sidelines. I will always remember my time with Tuna Australia fondly.
Thanks, Phil.