Fisheries’ champion

TASMANIA’S fishing industry is now more environmentally aware and fish stocks have rebuilt thanks to the work of Gail Richey, awarded an AM in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

Mrs Richey, from Hawley Beach in the state’s north, has been recognised for significant service to the fishing and aquaculture industry, particularly in Tasmania, and to fisheries management and industry associations.

She started working for the Federal Government in the Australian Fisheries Service in 1984 but realised by 1989 she wanted to work within the industry itself.

She subsequently left the public service and established her own consultancy, Trawline.

Mrs Richey was a board member of the University of Tasmania’s Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute between 2005 and 2009 and was the inaugural executive officer of the Commonwealth Fisheries Association for more than a decade after helping to establish the body in 2002.

Mrs Richey said she had witnessed many changes in the industry over the years including a significant reduction in the shipping fleet, quota management on most Commonwealth fisheries and a greater environmental awareness.

But she says there are challenges ahead to make the community more aware of the stringent fisheries management and sustainability requirements, acceptance of world leading science, and ensuring resources are shared equally between commercial and recreational and indigenous fishers.

“I feel greatly honoured and humbled to receive this award, particularly given the nomination has come from my peers in the industry,” Mrs Richey said.