queensland seafood industry awards

2026 Queensland Seafood Industry Awards Wrap

The 2026 Queensland Seafood Industry Awards brought together the very best of Queensland’s seafood industry for an outstanding evening of recognition, connection and celebration.

Held at the stunning Blackbird restaurant on March 13th 2026, with views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, the event welcomed industry leaders from across the state, alongside key representatives from government and industry organizations. We were honoured to have the Hon Tony Perrett MP, Minister for the Department of Primary Industries, in attendance, along with representatives from Queensland fisheries and a wide range of industry bodies and stakeholders.

The evening commenced with a highly successful networking event, setting the tone for the night and providing a valuable opportunity for industry members to reconnect, build new relationships and strengthen connections across the sector.

Guests were then welcomed into the formal proceedings, where the evening unfolded across a well-paced program of dining, industry recognition and celebration, including the Minister’s address which reinforced the importance of a strong and connected seafood industry in Queensland.

A highlight of the evening was guest speaker Matt Golinski, who spoke about the importance of provenance in seafood and the connection between producers and consumers, resonating strongly with the audience.

Throughout the evening, awards were presented across a broad range of categories, recognising excellence in primary production, business performance, innovation, sustainability, leadership and industry contribution. The calibre of finalists and winners once again highlighted the depth of talent, professionalism and resilience across Queensland’s seafood industry.

QSMA Life Member Award

A special moment during the evening was the Life Member induction of Marshall Betzel, recognising his longstanding contribution to the seafood industry and QSMA, and the significant impact he has had over many years.

A Special Thank You

The Queensland Seafood Marketers Association would like to extend its sincere thanks to all sponsors and partners whose support made the 2026 Awards possible, including FRDC, Seafood Industry Australia, Queensland Seafood Industry Australia, Women in Seafood Australia, OceanWatch Australia, Tassal, MG Kailis Lobster, Lenrex Seafood Marketers, Rocky Point Aquaculture and our broader industry supporters.

Hosted biennially by the Queensland Seafood Marketers Association (QSMA), the Queensland Seafood Industry Awards celebrate the excellence, innovation, and dedication that define Queensland’s seafood sector. These prestigious awards highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy, its high standards of professionalism, and its unwavering commitment to delivering world-class seafood to domestic and international markets.

The awards honour outstanding achievements across the industry by recognising individuals, businesses, partnerships, and organisations that have made meaningful contributions to a sustainable and profitable Australian seafood industry.

As in previous years, winners of the Queensland Seafood Industry Awards will advance to the National Seafood Industry Awards, held in conjunction with the Seafood Directions Conference. The 2026 national event will take place in Sydney from 28-30 July.