South Australian Seafood Awards 2026 – Event Wrap
Walking into Morphettville, guests were immediately met with a striking welcome, the trackside screen lit up with the South Australian Seafood Awards branding and major sponsors, setting the tone for a night celebrating the very best of our industry.
Arriving via the blue carpet, attendees paused at the media wall before stepping into a vibrant, modern space overlooking the track. From the outset, the atmosphere was electric.
Downstairs, the evening came to life with drinks, canapés and live acoustic music from The Cast, while interactive seafood stations showcased South Australia’s premium produce in full flight. Seafood Works drew a constant crowd, shucking oysters live to order, while chefs prepared fresh sashimi and lobster rolls, creating a theatre-style dining experience that celebrated both skill and provenance.
Guests gathered as whole tuna and kingfish were expertly carved in front of them — a true ocean-to-plate moment. In one of the standout experiences of the evening, freshly prepared tuna was sent straight upstairs to Tony Ford, aka Tony Abalone, who transformed it into part of the main menu in real time, bringing the journey from catch to plate full circle.
It was a powerful reminder of what makes this industry so special — connection, craftsmanship, and absolute confidence in the quality of South Australian seafood.
Upstairs in the Morphett Room, guests were welcomed into a polished, high-energy setting where the formal proceedings began. With a record number of 75 submissions received, assessed by 12 independent judges, the 2026 awards delivered one of the highest calibre fields ever seen, showcasing the depth, diversity and resilience of the industry.
The dining experience continued to impress, with a standout main course celebrating South Australian seafood in both flavour and storytelling. Taking centre stage, Tony Ford delivered a live cooking demonstration, preparing his signature Rockpool Eggplant Tuna dish in front of the room. The dish paid tribute to a previous Rockpool event shared with Andrew Puglisi, creating a meaningful link to the evening’s most significant honour — Andrew’s induction into the South Australian Seafood Industry Hall of Fame.
From here, the night unfolded with seamless energy — courses flowing, music building, and each award telling the story of an industry that continues to evolve, lead and deliver at the highest level.
Award Winners and Finalists
Large Primary Producer of the Year
Finalists:
Angel Oysters
Yumbah Aquaculture
Winner: Yumbah Aquaculture
Small Primary Producer of the Year
Finalists:
Cape Calamari
Henderson Seafoods
Smoky Bay Oysters
Winner: Cape Calamari
Large Business of the Year
Finalists:
The Fresh Fish Place
Regal Bight Fisheries Pty Ltd
SA Seafood Express
Winner: SA Seafood Express
Small Business of the Year
Finalists:
Fair Seafood
Kirkbright Seafood Co Pty Ltd
Little Tin Co
Seafood Works
Southern Canning Pty Ltd
Winner: Little Tin Co
Best Research, Development and Extension Project
Finalists:
Alison
Turnbull & Team - Lobster Project
Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries
Commonwealth Fisheries Association
South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Oceanography Team
Winner: SARDI Oceanography Team
Best People Development Champion
Finalists:
Angel Oysters
Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy
Commonwealth Fisheries Association
Seafood Works
Turn the Tide Program – Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA)
Winner: Angel Oysters
Health and Safety Champion
Finalists:
Ian Mitchell of SAFCOL
Stay Afloat Program Coordination South Australia
Yumbah Aquaculture
Winner: Yumbah Aquaculture
Environment Champion
Finalists:
Angel Oysters
Dr Dominic McAfee & EyreLab
Eyre Shellfish & Australian Razorfish
Winner: Angel Oysters
Restaurant of the Year
Finalists:
Fair Seafood
Pearl Aldinga Beach
Regal Bight Fisheries
SiSea
The Rezz Hotel
Winner: SiSea
Best Retail and Seafood Promotion
Finalists:
Coorong Wild Seafood
Fair Seafood
Kin Premium Australian Seafood
The Fresh Fish Place
Seafood Works
Winner: Coorong Wild Seafood
Best Seafood Experience
Finalists:
City of Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival
EP Bus Charters
Fair Seafood
Winner: City of Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival
Best Fish N’ Chips of the Year
Finalists:
Champion Take Away
Kin Premium Australian Seafood
The Fresh Fish Place
Streaky Bay Fish Fix
The Fish Man
The Stunned Mullet
Winner: The Fresh Fish Place
Outstanding Achiever of the Year
Finalists:
Jack Henderson, Henderson Seafoods
Nathan Eatts, Cape Calamari
Regal Bight Fisheries,
Winner: Jack Henderson, Henderson Seafoods
Appreciation of Service
A special Seafood Industry South Australia Appreciation of Service recognised individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the industry:
Brian Jefferies
Bart Butson
Craig Fletcher
Iain Evans
Adam Main
South Australian Seafood Industry Hall of Fame
The evening culminated in one of the most significant moments — the induction into the South Australian Seafood Industry Hall of Fame.
Inductee: Andrew Puglisi
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With live music from The Cast carrying the celebrations late into the evening, the 2026 South Australian Seafood Awards delivered more than just recognition — it showcased the strength, resilience and pride of an industry at its best.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt and memorable tribute to Andrew Puglisi. Tony Ford, alongside David Wood, delivered a fitting acknowledgement of Andrew’s remarkable career, celebrating his lasting impact on the seafood industry both in South Australia and across the nation.
From ocean to plate, from emerging leaders to lifelong contributors, the night was a powerful reminder that South Australian seafood is not only world-class, it is driven by people who are equally exceptional.
