Southern Seafood Producers WA
The Association
The Southern Seafood Producers (WA) Association (SSPWA) is a platform for the united professional producers of fine quality seafood in South Western Australia to interact with the public, government, regulators and potential partners for the first time. The SSPWA strives for greater support for our seafood producer families and is the industry body representing the interests of all South and West Coast Seafood Producers in Western Australia. Formed in 2017, the SSPWA is made up of a Management Committee, with two representative for each of the regional centers:
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Metropolitan / Other Region;
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South West Region;
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Albany Region; and
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Esperance Region.
Each Management Committee Member is elected by our Members - grass root participants of the commercial fishing industry in WA with a current Fishery Licence.
The Need
The late Kim Chance had a vision of a sector body established to represent, support and enhance the southern fisheries of Western Australia. With this vision in mind, Consultant Peter Rogers conducted a series of industry consultation tours to produce the discussion report ‘The Case for Establishing the Southern Seafood Producers (WA) Association’. After the publication of the discussion report, a Transitional Management Committee was established to guide the formation of the Association in its infancy. In December of 2017, the Southern Seafood Producers (WA) Association Inc. was established, with the first Annual General Meeting held in Albany. At this meeting, Members elected the inaugural Management Committee members of the SSPWA. Since then, the Management Committee has swiftly identified areas of focus for the SSPWA. Two of which were the need to strengthen the industry alignment with the food industry and to utilise all opportunities brought about by the amalgamation of the former Departments of Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Regional Development and the nine Regional Development Commissions to the betterment of the SSPWA Members.
Management Committee
MATT
BENSON-LIDHOLM
Chairperson
Based in Albany with a family background in commercial fishing has significant knowledge of WA’s fishing industry. Understands the many economic, development and sustainable issues facing primary producers in regional WA. A regional development consultant and State Government lobbyist who commits to working closely with industry to encourage best practice and help deliver on the potential our seafood sector offers across the southern and south west coasts for future generations.
PHILLIP CLARK
Secretary and Metro Representative
Phil loves everything seafood however, he is super passionate about WA's local seafood and promotes local industry at every opportunity. Phil became a member of SSPWA during 2020 and was nominated to the management committee shortly following the 2020 AGM in Bunbury. Subsequently Phil was successfully elected as the Secretary.
BRYN WESTERBERG
Vice Chair
Albany Representative
Bryn is a current Purse Seine, Inshore and Demersal fisher / processor with an excellent knowledge of the South Coast. Bryn is a long standing Committee Member and was again successfully nominated to the role of Vice Chair.
PADDY DANIELS
Esperance Representative
Paddy is a South Coast Crustacean fisher and was successfully nominated as the current representative for the Esperance region. Paddy has an excellent working knowledge of managed fisheries in various regions.
MORGAN HAND
Treasurer and Metro Representative
Morgan became an SSPWA member in 2021 and has an excellent background and knowledge in crustacean species. Morgan was nominated to the management committee and successfully appointed as Treasurer at the 2021 Annual General Meeting in Cockburn.
NICK LUCAS
South West Representative
Nick holds interests in Beach Seine and Estuarine fisheries, is a highly respected industry participant and long term committee member. Nick is an active South West Representative for SSPWA.
ALAN RULE
Albany Representative
Alan has supported SSPWA as a member since inception in 2017 and was nominated to the management committee in 2021. Alan has fishing entitlement on the South Coast in various managed fisheries and is very knowledgeable on great southern fishing grounds.
South West Representative
SHANE MILES
Shane hails from a long standing fishing family in the South West including interests along the South Coast and contributes a wealth of knowledge to the SSPWA committee.
Esperance
Representative
Vacant
This could be you.
Your enquiry as to how to make this happen is welcomed. Please email admin@sspwa.org.au to find out more.
