The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement has been a boon for Austral Fisheries' exports to the UK.
Austral Fisheries is an Australian seafood company with high standing in the global fishing industry.
'We are privileged to be the custodians of some of Australia's most extraordinary fisheries resources,' says David Carter, CEO of Austral Fisheries.
As a steward of the ocean and the environment, Austral Fisheries represents 71% of the entire Australian toothfish industry. It also represents 25% of Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery - the country's largest.
When the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA) entered into force on 31 May 2023, it was a gamechanger for Austral. The A-UK FTA removed tariffs on its world-renowned Glacier 51 toothfish and wild-caught banana prawns. This meant the company could secure new foodservice and retail partnerships in the UK.
Home-chefs can now find Austral's Glacier 51 toothfish in London's famous upscale department store Selfridges and at Whole Foods UK.
'These milestones mark just the beginning of our dedicated push into the UK market,' says Dylan Skinns, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Austral Fisheries. 'We are committed to providing the UK market with top-quality seafood products and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.'
Sustainability drives Austral's commercial success
David Carter spent his entire career - from deckhand to CEO - steering Austral towards a more sustainable future. He was the driving force behind the company becoming the first commercial fishery in the world to be certified as carbon neutral in 2016.
'Whether it's the challenge of overcapacity in prawn fisheries or illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean, or some of the bigger climate challenges that our oceans face, the idea that we are doing the right rather than the easy thing every time is what sustains me,' says Carter.
Carter's efforts were recognised with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) Sustainable Seafood Awards Australia.
Austral's Glacier 51 toothfish also won "Best Sustainable Seafood Product" from the MSC. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program has rated it a "best choice" species.
