Webinar: Tasmania’s Oceans of Opportunity
Wednesday 21st December, 2022
3pm – 4.30pm AEDT
Healthy oceans are critical to our way of life, yet contemporary, integrated and wholistic approaches to ocean governance remain uncommon.
To truly understand and support a single ocean industries aspiration, challenges, and opportunities – we argue these activities should be considered and governed in a broader oceans framework.
Throughout 2022, the Blue Economy CRC hosted a series of events with stakeholders invested in Tasmanian oceans and the Tasmanian Salmon industry. Running parallel to the Tasmanian Government’s formal process for developing a new Salmon Plan, these independent events showed the conversation was stretching beyond just a single sector and that consideration of one sector in isolation of other ocean industries and ocean stewardship was not enough.
In addition to reporting what was heard directly from stakeholders at these events, the Blue Economy CRC also developed an ambition for ‘Tasmania’s sustainable ocean economy beyond 2033’. This offers a new approach to pursuing a sustainable ocean economy and ocean stewardship for Tasmania and shows what is possible when industries are balanced by nature and supported by innovation.
The intended audience of these two reports ranges from policymakers, regulators, government, industries, supply chain, retailers, interest groups, community and research institutions.
Angela Williamson & John Whittington will provide an overview of their findings of these two reports released, ‘AMBITION Tasmania’s Sustainable Ocean Economy Beyond 2033 Aquaculture’ and ‘WHAT WE HEARD Tasmanian Salmon Symposium + Forum Report on stakeholder engagement Q1FY23’ followed by Q&A.
Presenters
Name: Dr John Whittington
Affiliation: Blue Economy CRC, CEO
Dr John Whittington is the CEO of Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd. John has more than 20 years leadership experience across the public, not-for-profit and research sectors.
John has a PhD in algal physiology from the University of Adelaide and has postdoctoral experience at Universities in Australia and the USA, and with the CRC for Freshwater Ecology. He has been the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment (Tas), Chaired the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture Advisory Board and was a Director of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, and through his career has led major policy and research programs and portfolios in fisheries and aquaculture, animal and plant health, resource management and conservation science.
In addition to being the CEO of the Blue Economy CRC, John is a non-Executive Director of Tasmanian Irrigation and Fish Hook Wines.
Name: Angela Williamson
Affiliation: Director of Blue Policy & Planning, BlueEconomy CRC
Angela Williamson recently joined the Blue Economy CRC Co Ltd as Director of Blue Policy & Planning. She brings a passion for sustainable oceans development and a wealth of experiences in government, political and private sector gained over the past two decades.
Having studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries) and Bachelor of Antarctic Studies (honours), Ange’s career has included roles in the Antarctic Division, National Oceans Office, Parks Australia and Marine Division in the Federal Environment Department. She is also a former political adviser. Most recently, Ange was responsible for communications, engagement, government relations and spearheading the ESG agenda for Australia’s largest seafood producer, the ASX listed Tassal Group.
Ange is also a representative on the Seafood Industry Australia’s (SIA) Aquaculture Advisory Committee and Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) Course Advisory Committee.
Her experiences include marine spatial planning, oceans policy, ocean and fisheries focused international relations in the Asia Pacific region and the design and deliver ESG and sustainability work programs.
When asked what she was most looking forward to in her role at the BE CRC, Ange said “Working with amazing people that share a vibrant vision for our oceans and are committed to make sure we get the policy, regulatory and R & D building blocks right so that together – industries, governments and communities – can have confidence in the pathways to sustainable ocean wealth and prosperity”.
