Coffs fish co-op best in business

The best in the seafood business have been named at the industry's annual awards night in Sydney, hosted by the largest seafood market in the country.

The Seafood CRC's chairman, Peter Dundas-Smith, was recognised for his contribution to the industry's development, and Sydney commercial fisherman, Richie Bagnato, for his ongoing commitment to improving environmental practices.

The Sydney Fish Market's Seafood Excellence Awards also honoured the leading restaurants, retailers and suppliers in NSW and interstate.

The Coffs Harbour Fishermen's Co-operative's vice-chairman, Geoff Blackburn, says Best Supplier (NSW) is a wonderful award to win.

"It's paid off for a year or so of very, very hard work by a lot of people," he said.

"There's a lot of people at the co-op, from our staff and, of course, our fishermen who supply the product into the Sydney Fish Market; it's a very, very happy day."

He says consumers who buy seafood sourced from Coffs Harbour are getting the best that can be supplied.

"People of Coffs Harbour have the opportunity to buy world class seafood before it moves into Sydney, because there's a limited amount that we can put into the Coffs Harbour market," he said.

The Coffs Harbour Fishermen's Co-operative is awarded Best Supplier (NSW) at the Seafood Excellence Awards by NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, and the Sydney Fish Market's general manager, Bryan Skepper.

The catch supplied by the co-op is seasonal, and a mix of both tropical and southern species.

"We have our king prawns, which we're absolutely famous for, mullet from the estuary and the beach fishermen, kingfish. We catch a lot of bonito, and we have a tuna fleet that works far and wide," he said.

Further afield, the Best Supplier (Interstate or Overseas) went to New Zealand company OPC Fish and Lobster.

De Costi Seafoods picked up two awards: the Seafood Business Award and Best Seafood Retailer overall, and Claudio's Quality Seafoods was named Best Seafood Retailer at the Sydney Fish Market.

The Best Seafood Restaurant for 2013 was received by Balgowlah Seafood's Fish Cafe.

Source: ABC News, 29 August 2013