New SIA Chair, Clayton Nelson, speaking at the 2022 Seafood Directions conference
(photo credit: SIA)
Austral Fisheries congratulates Clayton Nelson on his appointment as Chair of Seafood Industry Australia this week. The following is sourced from SIA’s original press release on Tuesday, September 13.
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) held its scheduled Board meeting on Tuesday, September 13, where it announced the appointment of Clayton Nelson to the position of Chair, and Catherine Sayer to the position of Deputy Chair. SIA also acknowledged the retirement of its immediately past Chair Chauncey Hammond and Director Dennis Holder from the Board of SIA, thanking them for “their hard-work, dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of SIA.”
“I would like to congratulate Clayton Nelson as SIA’s new Chair and Catherine Sayer as Deputy Chair. Clayton has vast experience in the industry and in chairing important organisations such as WAFIC and as the deputy chair of the Commonwealth Fisheries Association. I am confident he will do an outstanding job as your new Chair, and Catherine’s vast experience in the food and beverage sector will position her well in the Deputy Chair role,” former SIA Chair Chauncey Hammond said.
“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and thank Chauncey and Dennis for the contributions they have made to the SIA Board during their time. I would like to thank the Board for their support and nomination of me to the role as Chair and I look forward to working hard to continue the good work of SIA to promote, protect and develop the Australian seafood industry both domestically and internationally,” SIA Chair Clayton Nelson said.
Both Chauncey and Dennis have reached the maximum two-term limit under the constitution and are not eligible to stand again. When the SIA constitution was originally drafted, it included a two-term limit for Directors in order to provide all members of the industry the chance to become an SIA Director and contribute to its progress and success. At SIA’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday afternoon, voting will opened to fill the two current vacancies on the Board.
About Clayton Nelson
Clayton was appointed to the SIA Board in October 2020. He is the General Manager – Policy and External Affairs at Austral Fisheries.
Clayton has been involved in the Australian fishing industry since 1980. He has extensive experience in the seafood industry, with roles including Skippering prawning vessels, partner and Executive Director of ASX listed Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, and Director of Operations for Tiger Fisheries. In 2008, Clayton launched Jamaclan Marine Services to provide consultancy services to the Australian fishing industry. In 2011, he established a small boutique fishing company to fish for Rottnest Island Scallops out of Fremantle, WA. Clayton was a Director of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council from 2011 – 2017 and also served as Chairman in 2017. Clayton has played a significant role in establishing Austral’s newest fishing operation in the Timor Reef Fishery.
Throughout 40 years of hands on experience in the Seafood Industry, Clayton has been active in roles from operations, catching, marketing and business development in primarily the Wildcatch sector. Industry representation in both state and commonwealth sectors has built networks throughout Australia based on trust, reputation and integrity.