Seafood Industry Tasmania

03/11/2026

🦪Think you can shuck it?⁉️

Expressions of interest are still open for the Amateur Oyster Shucking Competition at the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee!

We’ve already received interest from several aspiring competitors - including an international entrant! It’s exciting to see the reach of the GLTS Marquee and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival extending well beyond Tasmania’s shores.

Step up to the shucking bench, test your skills and experience the atmosphere of the Marquee from centre stage.

🏆 The competitor who records the fastest official time across both the amateur and professional competitions will receive support from Seafood Industry Tasmania to assist them in competing at the Narooma Oyster Festival as it celebrates its 20th year. The nature and level of support will be determined by SIT and communicated directly with the successful competitor.

Think you have what it takes? Register your interest today:
https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/oyster-shucking-competition/

📅 Australian Wooden Boat Festival | 5–8 February 2027
📍 Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee, Mures Car Park, Hobart Waterfront

02/11/2026

✨Last Thursday, Seafood Industry Tasmania attended the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2027 Preview Program launch, marking another exciting step towards next February's festival.

🌊Held at the Waterside Pavilion, the launch featured several working wooden boats, including Chaparral - a Huon pine vessel originally built to fish for crayfish along Tasmania's rugged west coast. Her story reflects the enduring connection between Tasmania's boats, coastal communities, and seafood industry.

In 2027, the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee will bring that connection to life through the people who work on our waters, the stories behind our seafood and, of course, plenty of exceptional Tasmanian produce.

View the program here: https://awbf2027.org.au/digital-program/

Join us at Mures Car Park on the Hobart waterfront from 5-8 February 2027.

29/10/2026

Join Women In Seafood Australasia - WISA, Rural Alive & Well , and SIT and be part of a conversation about mental health and wellbeing.

We're pleased to have Julian Harrington, CEO of Seafood Industry Tasmania, along with Samara Ford, Outreach Officer of Rural Alive & Well as guest speakers. They'll share their experiences and insights into looking after ourselves and supporting those around us.

📅 Friday, 13 November 2026
🕟 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
📍 Willie Smith's Apple Shed, Huon Valley

Whether you're working on the water, behind the scenes or anywhere across the seafood industry, we'd love to see you there!

27/10/2026

What a fantastic three days at our Year 9 & 10 Working on Water Program 2026!

Last week, 38 students from 12 schools across Tasmania came together to explore the diverse career pathways available in, on, and around the water!

From marine science and research to seafood production, maritime operations and beyond, students gained firsthand insights into Tasmania's seafood and maritime industries through hands-on activities, industry visits, and conversations with industry professionals.

👏 A huge thank you to our incredible presenters, industry partners and sponsors for generously sharing your time, expertise and support. Your contributions make it possible for us to continue delivering meaningful educational experiences that inspire and connect young Tasmanians with the many career opportunities across our industries.

A special thank you to everyone involved:

Barilla Bay Oyster Farm
Candy Abalone
CSIRO
IMAS
Marine Solutions
Mures Fishing
Pennicotts
Revolution Design
Scalefisher - Nick Martin
Seafood and Maritime Training
Skretting
Tasmanian Marine Police
Tasmanian Oyster Company
Tassal
Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures

And to all the students who participated, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to get involved. We hope the experience has inspired you to explore where a career on or around the water could take you! 🌊

14/10/2026

🦞🐟🦪 What's in season for the final quarter of 2026?

With just two and a half months left in the year, there's still plenty of incredible Tasmanian seafood to enjoy in the lead-up to and throughout the holiday season!

Explore the final quarter of our Seafood Seasonality Guide to discover what's available and what's at its peak. 🌊

13/10/2026

Can you believe we're already approaching the end of the year? We're down to our second-last Women In Seafood Australasia - WISA & SIT monthly catch-up for 2026!

WISA & SIT’s monthly catch up is THIS THURSDAY and this month, we're swapping after-work drinks for a casual lunch at Core Restaurant and Bar, from 12 – 1pm, and we'd love you to join us!

Whether you're a regular at our catch-ups or have been meaning to come along, this is a great opportunity to take a break from the working day.

Thursday 15 October 2026
12:00–1:00pm
Core Restaurant & Bar, Crowne Plaza Hobart
$25 lunch specials available

Feel free to pop in for the full hour or just part of your lunch break.

07/10/2026

🦪This could be your shucking moment!

Think you have what it takes to step up to the shucking bench? Join the Amateur Oyster Shucking Competition at the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee during the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

No professional experience is needed, just enthusiasm, steady hands, and the willingness to have a go and challenge our reigning champion, Zoe Jacobson Living The Shucking Dream Oyster Bar!

There is also an exciting opportunity beyond the competition. The competitor who records the fastest official time across both the amateur and professional competitions will receive support from Seafood Industry Tasmania to assist them in competing at the Narooma Oyster Festival 2027, as it celebrates its 20th year. The nature and level of support will be determined by SIT and communicated directly with the successful competitor.

Expressions of Interest close Sunday 22 November.

Register your interest: https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/oyster-shucking-competition/

30/09/2026

Community, connection, and a good feed in Dover last Friday!🩵

SIT and Rural Alive & Well recently headed to Dover as part of the Stay Afloat Tasmania mental health and wellbeing program, bringing the local community together over a relaxed BBQ and conversation.

With around 90 burgers cooked and served, it was fantastic to see the people in close-knitted community in one place.🍔

Stay Afloat Tasmania is about more than starting conversations around mental. It's about showing up, building trusted connections, and making support visible and accessible with Tasmania's seafood communities.

A huge thank you to the Dover community for welcoming us and joining us on the night, and to everyone who helped behind the scenes to make the BBQ possible.

These community connections cannot be made possible without the support of the Stay Afloat Tasmania program partners.

Salmon Tasmania
Seafood and Maritime Training RTO 7074
Tasmanian Abalone Council
Tasmanian Rock Lobster Council
TasPorts
Tassal - Our Community

29/09/2026

From watching a champion to having a crack yourself!

We can't wait to welcome Zoe Jacobson to the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2027 and see those world-class shucking skills in action.

And if Zoe's recent achievement has inspired you... why not put your own skills to the test?

Our Amateur Oyster Shucking Competition is coming to AWBF and registrations are open!
Register here 👉 https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/oyster-shucking-competition/

From Galway to the Hobart waterfront 🦪

A huge congratulations to Australian Oyster Shucking Champion Zoe Jacobson, who has finished 13th at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland, placing her among the top 16 oyster shuckers in the world.

Zoe, the first woman to represent Australia at the championships, will be bringing her speed, skill and passion for Tasmanian oysters to the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Marquee at AWBF 2027.

Think you can shuck?

For the first time at AWBF, amateur oyster shuckers can put their own skills to the test in the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood Amateur Oyster Shucking Competition.
Whether you’ve got a tried-and-true technique or just reckon you’re pretty handy with an oyster knife, this is your chance to join the action.

🦪 Register to compete:
https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/oyster-shucking-competition/

5–8 February 2027 | Hobart Waterfront Industry Tasmania Zoe Jacobson