News

15 October 2020

From workshop to wharf: Klokan Fishing’s new longliner ready for fit out

Klokan Fishing’s new 24-metre tuna longliner has been moved from the workshop in Newcastle to the wharf in Port Stephens for fit out and officially named the Mira Š as it draws ever closer to completion. The Mira…

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15 September 2020

Tuna industry suffering from a worker shortage on boats

The Australian tuna longline industry, valued at AUD 50 million dollars, is under threat from a staffing shortage on boats, says the national industry body Tuna Australia. In response, Tuna Australia member Heidi Walker, owner of Walker Seafoods…

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28 August 2020

‘World-class management’: Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery receives MSC certification for sustainability

Posted in: The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF), one of Australia’s largest fisheries, has achieved the global gold standard for sustainability with the awarding of Marine Stewardship Council certification. The MSC certification for the…

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4 August 2020

Global experts developing roadmap to add value to wild-caught Australian tuna

Tuna Australia has engaged seafood consulting firm SmartAqua to develop a roadmap for value-added products to support new domestic and export markets for the tuna longline industry. The work is being led by managing director Alastair Smart and…

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29 July 2020

PM Scott Morrison visits Walker Seafoods to discuss COVID-19 impacts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Tuna Australia member Walker Seafoods Australia in Mooloolaba on Tuesday 28 July to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business. Owner and CEO Pavo Walker told the prime minister how…

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15 July 2020

Queensland Government economic recovery grant for tuna fishing industry

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE A not-for-profit fisheries industry group will receive a $50,000 economic recovery grant from the Palaszczuk Government to help tuna fishers rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner…

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5 July 2020

Respected fisher Al McGlashan says understanding, education key to sharing ETBF resources

A respected fishing ambassador and media personality has praised examples of growing cooperation between commercial and recreational fishers in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF), and called for further education and information sharing to better protect shared…

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30 June 2020

Tuna takes to the skies thanks to government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism

Tuna producers hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic have welcomed the Australian Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) to help re-open supply links to Japan and the United States. It’s providing some relief for the largely export-focused tuna…

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16 June 2020

Exciting project pipeline to deliver value to tuna industry, says Program Manager

Tuna Australia has an exciting suite of projects underway, and funding is being sought for new projects to complement the ongoing work. We spoke with Tuna Australia Program Manager Phil Ravanello to hear how the projects tie together…

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11 June 2020

‘Lots going on’: Klokan Fishing’s new longliner taking shape after 14 months of building

The construction of Klokan Fishing’s new tuna longliner continues to progress, with the propeller shaft and rudder now in place and painting underway. Since August 2019, when Tuna Australia last gave an update on the boat’s construction, Klokan…

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5 June 2020

Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery on track to be MSC certified

The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery is on track to be certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council in late August, creating excitement among Tuna Australia members. The Public Comment Draft Report was published on 27 May…

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4 May 2020

New technology benefits fishing industry and marine parks

New technology being trialled by Tuna Australia members is helping to protect marine life and deliver positive results for the longline fishing industry. Funded through the Federal Government’s Our Marine Parks Grants Program, the Tuna Australia project uses…

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