Industry investor and young newcomer join Tuna Australia Board
Two new Directors have been appointed to the Tuna Australia Board, bringing fresh insights and ideas to support and strengthen the tuna longline industry.
The new Directors—Daryn Logan of Sniper Fishing, Mooloolaba, and Daniel Lavalle of DDD Lavalle Fisheries, Ulladulla—round out the seven-person Board.
Richard Stevens OAM, Tuna Australia Chair, said the new Directors’ experiences and concepts will help to strategically position Tuna Australia and its membership for the future.
“Daryn Logan has extensive experience in catching, processing and promoting seafood for domestic and export markets,” said Stevens.
“Daniel Lavalle is fairly new to the tuna industry, so brings a valuable newcomer perspective and also provides another voice for fishers on the south coast of NSW.”
‘Lead the way’: Introducing Daryn Logan
Daryn Logan of Sniper Fishing.
Daryn Logan has a long history in the tuna industry, dating back to 1988 when he started working as a factory manager for an abalone cannery.
Since then, he has been managing fish processing factories for 30 years, including for De Brett Seafoods. Most recently, Logan was employed for 12 years as the Operations Manager for Mooloolah River Fisheries.
Currently, Logan is the sole director of Sniper Fishing in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) and has a substantial investment in the tuna industry.
“I see Tuna Australia as very important for the industry and its future,” said Logan to Tuna Australia.
“Most operators don’t have time to battle new regulations and be proactive in developing the industry, so we really need an association working for our benefit.
“It’s important that industry stakeholders lead the way or have a say in their own fisheries,” Logan said of his reason for joining the Tuna Australia Board.
Logan believes that the Board has been doing “excellent work” so far, and everything Tuna Australia is working on at the moment is “of great value.”
“The industry needs to continue developing its sustainability credentials, including the Marine Stewardship Council certification,” he said, reflecting on future priorities for the Board.
“With COVID, there’s been a huge amount of uncertainty and there still is. We don’t know if there will be planes next year. That is a key issue that the Board needs to provide direction on.”
Logan also has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the Queensland University of Technology and a Graduate Diploma in Fishing Technology from the Australian Maritime College
‘A good learning experience’: Introducing Daniel Lavalle
Daniel Lavalle, owner of Fisco 1 boat.
Daniel Lavalle has been a professional fisherman for the last 8 years, including three years in trawl, and the last five years as a longline fisher. He’s also a qualified electrician.
“I’ve worked with the Tuna Australia CEO and Program Manager throughout the years and have been really happy with how Tuna Australia has progressed and helped the fishers,” said Lavalle to Tuna Australia.
“I wanted to be part of it and wanted to learn,” he said of his reason for joining the Board.
Lavalle describes himself as “fairly new to industry” compared to other fishers.
“My perspective is of someone that has just entered the industry and is looking for a long-term future from a catching side (not just as a statutory fishing rights holder). It is a different perspective to someone who has been there for 20 years and is looking to sell their business.
I want the management and sustainability to be there so we can keep fishing forever.”
Currently, Daniel is the owner of the Fisco 1, based in Ulladulla, NSW, and holds ETBF statutory fishing rights.
“I believe that having Board representation from the NSW south coast is important because the issues are different,” he said, mentioning baiting permits as one example.
Lavalle is a current director of the Ulladulla Fisherman’s Co-op and believes that joining the Tuna Australia Board will be another “good learning experience.”
“I’m looking forward to being a part of everything and getting more of an overview of the whole industry,” he said. “Everyone on the Board has done a good job and I want to keep doing a good job to help the industry grow and improve.”
Tuna Australia CEO, David Ellis, said the Board plays a vital role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring the work plan is consistent with the organization’s objectives.
“We look forward to working with the new Directors and benefiting from their experience, insights and knowledge of the tuna industry,” said Ellis.
The new Directors replace Pavo Walker of Walker Seafoods and Paul Lavalle of Lavalle Fisheries and South Seas Tuna.