Sydney Fish Market last night celebrated the very best of Australia’s seafood industry at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards, honouring eight winners across categories spanning business innovation, environmental stewardship, primary production, research, restaurant excellence and leadership.
For the first time, the event was held at the new Sydney Seafood School within the new Sydney Fish Market – a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to the people who sustain one of Australia’s most celebrated food industries. Guests from across the seafood supply chain were joined by the Honourable Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, and Minister for Western New South Wales, reflecting the importance of the seafood industry to the state and the nation.
The NSW seafood industry contributes more than half a billion dollars of economic value annually, employing over 4000 people in fishing, aquaculture, processing, retail and hospitality. The Seafood Excellence Awards recognise the individuals and organisations at the forefront of that effort – fostering a stronger, more resilient industry, protecting the environment and bringing premium local seafood to consumers at home and abroad.
Sydney Fish Market Chair Craig Davison said the evening was a celebration of the depth of talent across the industry. “From the resilient aquaculture farmers, to the fishers working treacherous conditions offshore, to the co-ops, wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs – this industry feeds people and sustains communities.
“Every year, the nominations remind us of just how much talent, passion, and dedication exists across this state. Tonight we got to celebrate that here in our extraordinary new home. I congratulate all of tonight’s winners and finalists on their exceptional achievements.”
The night’s winners reflected the breadth and ambition of the NSW seafood sector. The Seafood Business Award went to the Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative, a regional institution supporting 39 fisher members and delivering more than 611 tonnes of premium wild-caught seafood annually – a testament to the enduring strength of co-operative fishing in NSW.
OceanWatch Australia secured the Environment Award for its ‘From Waste to Product’ initiative, which transformed flood-related oyster industry waste into resources, creating a new blueprint for circular economy practice in Australian seafood.
The Research, Development and Extension Award recognised the NSW Farmers Association for its Disaster Ready project, which turned the lived experiences of oyster farmers into a practical resilience handbook for the industry.
In the Primary Producer categories, The IKA Foundry claimed the NSW award for revitalising the first prawn farm on Palmers Island, while Yumbah Aquaculture won the Interstate/Overseas category for its fully integrated ‘water to plate’ model across abalone, oysters, mussels and kingfish.
Pipit Restaurant in Pottsville claimed the Restaurant Award for delivering an exceptional dining experience showcasing fine-dining, seasonal produce and sustainable seafood led by chef Ben Devlin and manager Chloe Wilson. Pipit was recognised for its unique integration of Gyotaku – a traditional Japanese method of fish printing – alongside extraordinary culinary creativity including fish fat caramels, single origin garums, fish bone flour and fish hams.
The Young Achiever Award went to Kristin Hoel of OceanWatch Australia, whose leadership of the Whale Entanglement Mitigation Program has helped fishers maintain safe and viable operations while working the ‘Humpback Highway’.
The evening’s highest honour, the Star of the Sea Award, was presented to David Ellis – founding CEO of Tuna Australia and one of the seafood industry’s most enduring and effective advocates.
Over more than 35 years, Ellis has built expertise across harvesting, research, aquaculture and advocacy, representing the interests of commercial fishers in boardrooms, on government advisory committees and in international fisheries meetings. Beyond policy, Ellis is widely recognised for mentoring the next generation of industry leaders, championing women in seafood, and actively promoting the industry’s long-term future to young Australians.
2026 SEAFOOD EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Seafood Business Award
Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Cooperative
Environment Award
OceanWatch Australia
Primary Producer – NSW
The IKA Foundry Pty Ltd (formerly Ecomarine)
Highly Commended: Merimbula Gourmet Oysters
Primary Producer – Interstate/Overseas
Yumbah Aquaculture
Research, Development & Extension Award
NSW Farmers Association
Restaurant Award
Pipit Restaurant
Highly Commended: Felons Seafood
Young Achiever Award
Kristin Hoel, OceanWatch Australia
Highly Commended: James Wheeler, Wheelers Oyster Farm
Star of the Sea Award
David Ellis, Tuna Australia
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
The 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, whose investment reflects a shared commitment to recognising and advancing the NSW seafood industry.
Sydney Fish Market extends its sincere thanks to: DEC (Welcome Drinks sponsor), K&L Gates (Seafood Business Award), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Environment Award and Research, Development & Extension Award), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Primary Producer Award – NSW), Huon Aquaculture (Restaurant Award), Mainfreight (Young Achiever Award), and East 33 (product sponsor).
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