Environment award for trawl fishermen

Australia may have bowed out of the Rugby World Cup in the semis but South East Trawl (SET) Fishermen continue to do well. SET fishermen have been recognised in a strong field and have placed as finalists in the prestigious Environment and Sustainability Awards at the 2011 Regional Achievement and Community Awards. Ian Walker (right, Director of Healthy Parks, Parks Victoria) presented the award to long time industry stalwart Michael Miriklis (left) who accepted it on members’ behalf. Michael operates the board trawler Derwent Venture which is based in Portland. The awards dinner was held in Ballarat in front of 300 guests including the Hon Peter Ryan (MLA, Deputy Premier) who is the patron of the awards. South East Landcare won the award. SETFIA’s Chairman, Mr Tom Bibby, said that, “he was pleased fishermen had been recognised for their performance in the environment. The most surprising outcome of the night was that it appears that Michael owns and occasionally wears a suit”.