HANNA SLOAN
Three Queensland businesswomen have secured places in the highly respected National Seafood Industry Leadership Program (NSILP).
Kate Lamason, Owner/Director at Little Tuna Pty Ltd, Karen Miller, Managing Director at Malanda Seafood, and Jacky Cartwright, Owner/Director of Silver Sea Seafoods, are entrepreneurs in the Queensland seafood industry.
NSILP commenced in Hobart, Tasmania on 14 March. The NSILP is the national leadership program funded by the Australian Government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and is managed and facilitated by Affectus. The six-month program concludes in Canberra in September.
NSILP is the only national industry-specific leadership program for the seafood industry and has been informed and developed in consultation with and feedback from the industry. The program focuses on developing practical skills that participants can apply at a personal, business, and national organisation industry level.
Managing Director of Affectus Jill Briggs said the program is an investment in the future of the seafood industry.
“This is one of the great concepts of industry futureproofing,” she said.
What better way to guarantee a strong industry into the future than investing in new leaders? Affectus provides skills sessions and practical activities that enhance participants’ knowledge and confidence to lead the industry into the future
Affectus Managing Director Jill Briggs
Kate Lamason, a Cairns local and mother of three, owns Little Tuna and Cairns Little Seafood Market. She produces 100% Australian caught, owned, and made canned tuna and retails local wild-caught seafood while exporting and processing various seafood products from her factory in North Queensland.
Kate is participating in NSILP to develop her leadership skills in industry advocacy, innovation, market diversification, and community engagement. As a passionate advocate for sustainable fishing practices, Kate strives for minimal wastage and supports Australian businesses.
She is committed to representing women positively in the male-dominated seafood industry and inspiring others to get involved.
Karen Miller has 25 years of experience in the wild-catch sector in addition to her award-winning seafood retail shop Malanda Seafood on the Tablelands, selling fish that her partner catches as a multi-endorsed fisher operating two of their own fishing vessels in Cairns and Karumba.
Karen is passionate about raising consumer awareness of industry stakeholders and their efforts to bring Australia’s amazing seafood to tables across the country. Her goal is to continue inspiring other women in the seafood industry, share their stories, and strengthen the support available.
Participating in NSILP will bring new experiences, broaden her knowledge, and develop leadership skills for future endeavours within the industry.
Jacky owns Silver Sea Seafoods with her husband, and they operate and process on board their accredited prawn trawler in Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast.
Silver Sea Seafoods provide premium quality prawns, wild caught and snap frozen at sea, to restaurant and wholesale direct markets, in Australia and internationally year-round – most recently they expanded their exporting into Singapore.
Jacky is a member of Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) and is interested in innovation in packaging and onboard processing. She is also a Policy Officer – Safety at Seafood Industry Australia.
Jacky is committed to fostering positive change and creating a safe and sustainable seafood industry.
“Through NSILP I hope to gain a larger industry sector understanding, which is important for education and collaborations going forward,” she said.
The NSILP continues in Sydney in July, with participants engaging in projects designed to work in line with their visions for their own businesses and the future of the Australian seafood industry.
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