tuna industry

15 September 2020

Tuna industry suffering from a worker shortage on boats

The Australian tuna longline industry, valued at AUD 50 million dollars, is under threat from a staffing shortage on boats, says the national industry body Tuna Australia. In response, Tuna Australia member Heidi Walker, owner of Walker Seafoods…

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4 August 2020

Global experts developing roadmap to add value to wild-caught Australian tuna

Tuna Australia has engaged seafood consulting firm SmartAqua to develop a roadmap for value-added products to support new domestic and export markets for the tuna longline industry. The work is being led by managing director Alastair Smart and…

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15 July 2020

Queensland Government economic recovery grant for tuna fishing industry

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE A not-for-profit fisheries industry group will receive a $50,000 economic recovery grant from the Palaszczuk Government to help tuna fishers rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner…

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4 May 2020

New technology benefits fishing industry and marine parks

New technology being trialled by Tuna Australia members is helping to protect marine life and deliver positive results for the longline fishing industry. Funded through the Federal Government’s Our Marine Parks Grants Program, the Tuna Australia project uses…

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2 April 2020

Government support welcomed but ‘not a silver bullet’, say tuna producers

Tuna producers have welcomed the Australian Government’s support packages to keep businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has committed to spend AUD $110 million to subsidise international air freight for premium fisheries and agricultural exports, waive…

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24 March 2020

‘Everything is up in the air’: How COVID-19 is impacting the tuna industry

The stopping of nearly all international flights and the closure of pubs, clubs and restaurants due to COVID-19 has had a huge impact on Australian tuna producers. Tuna Australia spoke with some members to hear how they’ve been…

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21 March 2020

‘A massive impact’: Tuna Australia members look for ways to survive coronavirus

Like many Australian businesses, Tuna Australia members have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. And the future doesn’t look very promising. Within days, there has been a significant economic shock to members’ business operations, threatening their economic…

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26 September 2019

‘It’s really cool’: Queensland youth learn of Tuna Australia’s conservation work

Two groups of high school students from across South East Queensland have had their eyes opened to Tuna Australia’s work to conserve and protect tuna fisheries across Australia. Program Manager Phil Ravanello recently spoke with 30 students, aged…

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14 August 2019

New program manager to boost Tuna Australia’s advocacy efforts

Phil Ravanello has this week joined the Tuna Australia team as program manager, providing a significant boost to the organization’s efforts to add further value to the longline tuna industry. “The addition of a full-time program manager will…

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19 July 2019

‘He just loved catching fish’: Frank Puglisi’s lifelong passion

Frank Puglisi adored going fishing. It was a passion that would define his whole life and career. “He just loved catching fish and he loved to go out on the ocean,” says Joy Puglisi of her husband, who…

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8 June 2019

Celebrating women’s roles and contributions to the Australian tuna industry

The tuna industry is typically perceived as a man’s domain, but many women are actively involved in the industry. Women contribute in many ways, and their perspectives and expertise can help to address skills and knowledge gaps in the…

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3 June 2019

Meet a member: Graciella Lavalle, Lavalle Fisheries and South Seas Tuna

Despite growing up in a fishing family in Ulladulla, Graciella Lavalle never thought she’d carve out a career in the fishing industry. That all changed when she married a commercial fisherman and later became director of her family’s…

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