OceanWatch Australia

11/06/2026

A lot of work in sustainable seafood happens behind the scenes 🔍

One part of that is supporting best practice.

Through the Master Fisherman and Responsible Oyster Farmer programs, OceanWatch works with industry to promote responsible practices on the water so the best quality seafood hits your plate 🤝

Both programs are now available through our new online training portal, making them more accessible across different regions!

These kinds of small, consistent improvements are what support long-term sustainability in the seafood industry.

Had you come across these programs before? Check them out today! https://courses.oceanwatch.org.au/

10/06/2026

🌱 We sometimes hear the term “greenwashing” in conversations around our work with the seafood industry.

It’s a reminder that sustainability needs to be backed by real work and real outcomes. That's something we take seriously at OceanWatch.

Our focus is on improving the environmental performance of the Australian seafood industry through practical, on-the-ground projects that work directly with the industry.

That includes:
✔️ helping remove marine debris and improve estuary health
✔️ strategies to reduce bycatch and interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species
✔️ restoring habitats like seagrass and shellfish reefs
✔️ enhancing skills and stewardship through programs like Master Fisherman and Responsible Oyster Farmer

This work happens on the water, in estuaries, and within coastal communities, and is a crucial part of promoting healthier oceans for the long term.

We see marine conservation and sustainable seafood as deeply connected, with progress depending on working together 🤝

Curious about how this work happens? Learn more: https://ow.ly/pOxY50Z9e1R

07/06/2026

World Oceans Day can mean different things to different people.

This year’s theme, “Reimagine: A new relationship with our ocean” reflects that idea.

For the people we work with, the ocean is part of everyday life. It’s where they work and what they depend on. And for many, it’s part of who they are.

At OceanWatch, our role is to work alongside industry and communities to support practical, on-the-ground ways of reducing impacts on our oceans and improving long-term outcomes.

This work happens through real actions. Often in small steps over time. And together, those steps lead to lasting change.

And we think that’s what reimagining our relationship with the ocean looks like in practice.

This we’re recognising the people putting that into action every day 👏

🌊 Let us know what your relationship with the ocean looks/feels like in the comments!

04/06/2026

The NSW mullet run is well underway! 🐟

Each autumn, sea mullet move north along the NSW coast to spawn. The NSW mullet run is fast, seasonal and highly selective, timed to nature and managed for the long term. For Aboriginal communities along the NSW coast, the mullet run has long signalled a change in season, bringing cultural and practical importance that continues today.

It can look like a lot of fish at once, but these are dense, migrating schools and catches are carefully managed to stay within sustainable limits. Fishing during the run targets mature fish, and enough fish continue their journey to spawn and maintain healthy populations.

This is a fishery shaped by science, local knowledge and a shared responsibility to keep stocks healthy and ecosystems strong!

✅ Healthy stock
✅ Scientifically managed
✅ Generations of coastal knowledge

Truly a sustainable fishery in action.

Learn more about the ocean hauling fishery and sea mullet stock sustainability:
https://oceanwatchmasterfisherman.org.au/nswoceanhauling/
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/commercial/fisheries/ocean-hauling/beach-hauling
https://www.fish.gov.au/report/380-Sea-Mullet-2023

03/06/2026

What stood out from this year’s NSW Oyster Conference 🦪🌟

It was incredible seeing the oyster industry come together on the NSW south coast last week for the NSW Oyster Conference! Over 200 people, 30 trade booths, 35 presentations, 7 field trips, 4 farm tours, and 4 networking events made for a pretty packed program.

A lot was covered over the 3 days, but a few things really stood out:
✅ Collaboration continues to drive progress, with strong work across innovation, hatcheries and research
✅ Ongoing challenges around access to capital, tenure and how the industry is communicated
✅ Clear opportunities to better connect oysters with tourism and regional growth

It was a great reminder of how much impactful work is happening across the sector, and how important our industry connections truly are.

A big thanks to the organising committee and everyone involved for your dedication in putting together such a successful conference!

And special thank you to the sponsors who made this year's conference possible: Destination NSW NSW Farmers Yumbah NSW Government Australia's Oyster Coast BST Oyster Supplies Pty Ltd Flip Farm Systems Tasmanian Oyster Co. SeaGen Aquaculture GP Graders Seapa

02/06/2026

A great piece from Landline last week highlighting the Australian seafood industry and Country of Origin Labeling (CoOL)!

In case you missed it…

Dr John Ackerman, CEO of Seafood Industry Australia, was featured on Landline this past Sunday, discussing the importance of Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for seafood in the hospitality sector.

From 1 July 2026, hospitality businesses will be required to identify the country of origin of seafood on menus and menu boards, helping consumers make informed choices about the seafood they purchase.

🎥 Watch the Landline episode here:
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RF2504Q015S00

01/06/2026

🐟 Master Fisherman Monday 🦐

Say g’day to Garry Anderson, a Master Fisherman working out of Northern NSW.

Garry runs a family fishing business, with his son Trent also working as a professional fisher. He places a strong focus on the health of the catchment he fishes in, understanding that what happens upstream plays a big role in the condition of the fishery over time.

As a Master Fisherman, Garry is committed to responsible fishing practices and caring for the broader environment that supports his livelihood. His catch is available through the Clarence River Fishermen's Co-Operative supplying fresh, local Australian seafood to their community.

Learn more about Garry’s story 👉 https://ow.ly/1Aku50Z609q

✅ When you see the Master Fisherman tick, you know it’s caught with care. Professional. Sustainable. Local.

28/05/2026

What does cheese have to do with sustainable seafood? 🧀

During this week's Oyster Conference field trips, we visited the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and heard from Andrew Taylor about the region’s circular economy approach.

It’s not directly about seafood, but the lesson is still relevant!

A lot of progress here comes down to collaboration. Local industries, community, and organisations working together rather than separately.

It’s a useful example of what can happen when systems are designed to connect, rather than operate in isolation! What would this look like in your region?

26/05/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that OceanWatch Australia received the Environment Award (sponsored by FRDC) at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards, hosted by the Sydney Fish Market.

This recognition highlights our ‘From Waste to Product’ initiative, which transforms flood-related oyster industry waste into valuable resources by developing practical recycling pathways for shells and end-of-life infrastructure. The initiative is helping establish a new blueprint for circular economy practices in the Australian seafood industry, while supporting a more resilient and sustainable oyster sector.

It was also a big night for our team, with our Program Manager Kristin Hoel receiving the Young Achiever Award. We’re proud to see her passion and contribution recognised 👏 We were also pleased to see the NSW Farmers Association recognised with the Research Development & Extension Award for its Disaster Ready project, with Andy Myers accepting the award.

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners. The awards showcased the strength of innovation and leadership across the seafood industry, and it was a privilege to be part of the celebration!

Follow the ‘From Waste to Product’ initiative on our website to see how circular solutions are being put into practice across the NSW oyster industry!

25/05/2026

🎣 Master Fisherman Monday 🐟

Say g'day to Chris Whatson, a Master Fisherman based on the NSW Mid‑North Coast.

Chris is a first‑generation professional fisher who has been working out of Taree since 1981. He’s proud to be an estuary fisher and loves spending his days on the river, supplying fresh local seafood to the community. For Chris, being out on the water and observing marine life and bird activity is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

As a Master Fisherman, Chris is committed to responsible fishing practices and caring for the waterways that support his livelihood. His catch is available through the Wallis Lake Fishermen's Co-op, delivering fresh, local Australian seafood.

Learn more about Chris’s story 👉 https://ow.ly/ZnF250YUqUe

✅ When you see the Master Fisherman tick, you know it’s caught with care. Professional. Sustainable. Local.