NSW Wild Harvest Fishers Inc. (WHF) have today announced the appointment of Mr Christopher Melham as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation and advocate for the interests of commercial wild harvest fishers in NSW.
Mr Melham takes on the role with extensive industry association management and advocacy experience having previously represented commercial fishers in commonwealth fisheries and led a number of peak industry bodies in Australia’s infrastructure, road transport and agricultural sectors.
“I am honoured to have been appointed as the inaugural CEO of WHF and looking forward to positioning NSW Wild Harvest Fishers as the peak industry voice in NSW. My immediate step is to meet with commercial fishers across NSW, build the membership base and to form a collaborative and productive working relationship with members who will help shape the advocacy agenda moving forward.
Wild harvest fishers require and deserve strong fishing rights that will provide long term access and a viable future for the NSW commercial wild-harvest fishing industry. I therefore welcome recent comments by the Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Tara Moriarty, MLC, who said in a media release on 14th August 2024 that the NSW Government wants to ensure a viable, productive and sustainable commercial fisheries sector now and for future generations. I look forward to working with the Minister and her department to address this critical objective”, Mr Melham said.
WHF would also like to thank the NSW Government for providing seed money to assist in the establishment of the NSW Wild Harvest Fishers Inc. thereby honouring the government’s election commitment to contribute funding to the peak industry body.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Christopher Melham
Chief Executive Officer
Mobile: 0498 227 281