- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director General Heather Brayford recognised for her contribution to sustainable fisheries management in Western Australia
Fisheries Minister Don Punch has congratulated Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director General Heather Brayford on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to sustainable fisheries management in Western Australia.
The award was presented to Ms Brayford by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) at the Sustainable Seafood Awards held today.
The MSC provides independent, third party, sustainable certification of WA fisheries and gives consumers confidence in the sustainability of fisheries and that their seafood purchases are sustainably sourced.
To maintain certification, fisheries must complete an annual audit to demonstrate fish stocks remain healthy, that good management is in place and that any impacts to the environment have been minimised.
Ms Brayford has more than 35 years of experience in fisheries and aquaculture policy, regulation, industry development, biosecurity and natural resource management.
Under her leadership in varied senior government roles and on industry committees and forums, WA has become a global leader in fisheries management and sustainability, supported by world-class science and compliance.
She played a key role in the roll-out of the initial WA MSC program for the State's fisheries which commenced in 2012, working in close partnership with the MSC and industry.
In 2017, she was appointed as an inaugural member of the MSC Stakeholder Advisory Council, which has global representation across the fishing, conservation and retail/market sectors, and in 2022 she was appointed as the chair.
There are a range of fisheries which have received MSC certification across the State including Western Rock Lobster, Exmouth Gulf and Shark Bay prawns, blue swimmer crab, sea mullet, deep sea crab, pearl oyster, abalone, Western Rock octopus, sea cucumber and saucer scallops.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"Heather has been a strong advocate of the MSC program for many years and I congratulate her on being recognised for this tremendous work.
"In WA it is fantastic that so many of our fisheries have received the MSC blue tick which provides the community with clear evidence that the sustainability of our aquatic resources is a priority.
"The Cook Government remains committed to working in partnership with industry to support WA's fisheries to complete audits and reassessments to maintain their sustainability tick of approval."
