Seafood Industry Loses a Star of the Sea

The Australian Seafood Industry bode farewell to one of its stars in May, with the passing of Salvatore Puglisi. A true pioneer, ‘Tory’ as he was affectionately known, went from humble beginnings on the New South Wales South Coast to being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding services to the nation’s fishing industry.

Born on the island of Lipari, off the Southern Coast of Italy, Tory migrated to Australia as a 3 year old accompanied by his father, mother, five sisters and three brothers. Settling in Wollongong (via Woolloomooloo) Tory and his family faced significant challenges in dealing with the culture shock of moving to a country so far removed from what they were accustomed.

However, the fishing industry provided the family with an opportunity to establish themselves in their new country, and it wasn’t long before the Puglisi boys were making their mark on the burgeoning South Coast commercial fishing landscape. In the early years, the Puglisi’s fishing method of choice was set-lining, with the boys attempting to land Snapper using six lines.

In 1937, the family moved further down the coast to Ulladulla. It was here that the Puglisi family continued to expand their operation, with their fish much sought after by the Sydney market. The family continued to add to their fleet, building a Danish seine trawling vessel which assisted in increasing production in order to meet growing demand for their product.

It is in Ulladulla that Tory stayed, building his fishing business and increasingly playing a leadership role in the development of the industry in the region. One of his biggest achievements was his position as a foundation member and Director of the Ulladulla Fishermen’s Co-operative. Tory was later to become Chairman of the Co-operative, a position he proudly held for over twenty years... read more

New Sashimi-Grading Scheme Deserves an A+

Sydney Fish Market (SFM) is thrilled to announce its new sashimi-grading scheme. An exciting upgrade to the existing process, the new scheme draws from Japanese sashimi-grading methodology, tailoring it to SFM conditions and the Australian market. The scheme will make sashimi-grading transparent and buying more efficient.

The new scheme is to be implemented in three stages. The first stage involves SFM providing Suppliers with feedback on their product and how it currently complies with the new scheme. Stage Two will be a four-week period where SFM’s Buyers will be educated on how sashimi product will be graded and what factors will determine grading. The final stage will involve replacing the existing voice auction of sashimi product with a newly devised method of sale using SFM’s Dutch auction clocks... read more

From fish to fancy furnishings, Sydney Seafood School is keeping it fresh! In celebration of its 20th anniversary in November this year, the School will undergo a major refurbishment.

Sydney Seafood School, established in 1989 and regarded as one of the top cooking schools in Australia, has decided it is time to give its food-savvy guests a truly classy silver service. Michael McCann, of Dreamtime Australia Design, has created the School’s contemporary new look. Michael has designed some of Sydney’s top restaurants and bars including The Argyle, Flying Fish Restaurant and Bar and Bavarian Bier Café. In conjunction with Roberta Muir, Sydney Seafood School Manager, and feedback gathered from thousands of customer surveys, Michael has designed a spectacular, innovative experience.

“Sydney Seafood School classes see over 12,000 local, interstate and overseas foodies each year eager to learn how to cook sumptuous seafood recipes. The refurbishment will be a facelift that ensures all our guests are presented with a tasteful, sophisticated experience” said Roberta Muir... read more

SeaNet is back!

Early 2009 was a busy time for the OceanWatch Australia (OWA) team, with the return of the national SeaNet program, following an $800k grant from the Australian Government.

After 10 successful years of award-winning environmental extension service to the Australian Seafood Industry, the SeaNet program was frozen in 2008. Following a strong lobbying campaign by industry, the Federal Government awarded OWA a further year’s funding, and SeaNet is back.     

SeaNet works directly with fishers to provide information and advice on improved fishing gear, technology and fishing methods, as well as practical assistance to improve the environmental performance of the industry in a manner that allows them to remain internationally competitive...
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