Today is World Fisheries Day - a moment to recognise the fishing communities who work tirelessly to deliver fresh, sustainable seafood to our plates. Marked globally on 21 November, the day shines a light on the innovation, stewardship and collaboration that help secure a healthy seafood supply for generations to come.
At Sydney Fish Market, we’re proud to champion the work of our fishers and the broader Australian seafood industry. Their dedication ensures our community can enjoy high-quality seafood harvested with care from our oceans and waterways. Today, we want to say thank you to all of our suppliers for your expertise, your resilience and the exceptional produce you bring to our tables.
Working with OceanWatch Australia
Sydney Fish Market is a long-standing supporter of OceanWatch Australia. As a founding member - alongside the NSW Fishermen’s Co-operatives Association Ltd and the Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia - we're honoured to have helped shape an organisation which has delivered countless initiatives improving the health of Australia’s marine environments.
OceanWatch drives projects that enhance environmental practices, protect threatened species, reduce bycatch, and restore vital marine habitats. Their work continues to set a benchmark for responsible industry leadership.
Sustainable Seafood: From Tide to Table
One of OceanWatch’s key initiatives, the OceanWatch Master Fisherman program, provides formal training and assessment for professional fishers, recognising those committed to the highest standards of responsible and sustainable fishing.
Recognised Master Fishermen and Master Harvesters are now working across NSW, Queensland and South Australia, with the program approaching 500 participants — including 70 new additions in the past six months alone. The network now represents fishers, divers, hand-gatherers and oyster farmers, all committed to best-practice, sustainable harvesting.
The program aims to:
If you are keen to read more, explore the Master Fisherman website, where you can learn about fishing methods, explore Master Fishermen profiles and browse the seafood directory - helping you find fresh, local seafood caught using best-practice, sustainable techniques.