Powerful Executive Chef Club sends a clear message about who owns the ocean

Absolutely thrilled to have the powerful Executive Chef Club join the Marine Futures Alliance of Australia.

Many people may not be aware, but the Cook Labor Government in Western Australia, only four weeks ago closed 900km of coastline to fishing.

The decision is the purest example of policy failure you will see.

The decision categorically proves marine parks have failed.

But why?

WA already has 2.5 million hectares of Ocean - in State waters (beach to 3 nautical mile mark) dedicated to marine parks, 21 State marine parks. Add to this 13 Commonwealth marine parks in WA alone.

And now the WA Government closes an additional 900km of coastline to fishing and 'buys out' every fisher!

The level of scientific and policy failure is off the chart.

But there is one salient message from this, for all governments and even the opposition: STOP using marine bio-regional planning as a morbid political strategy to suck the oxygen out of the environmental lobby.

It's dumb politics and it's dumb policy!

The ocean is owned by us all.

Fish stocks, industry, communities and consumers deserve better.

Dean Logan
CEO - SMEA
0403 195 798

 

New Alliances Formed: Seafood Consumers Join Forces with Industry to Challenge WA Government Closures

 New Alliance Forged to Protect Australia’s Marine Industry and Seafood Consumers 

MELBOURNE/SYDNEY/PERTH, 8 January 2026 — Small to Medium Enterprise Australia (SMEA) and the Seafood Consumers Association (SCA) today announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at unifying the marine sector and advocating for science-based management of Australia’s oceans. The partnership establishes a strategic front to address the growing economic and social impacts of large-scale marine park closures on local businesses and everyday consumers. 

The collaboration is a direct response to recent policy decisions, most notably the Western Australian Government's move to permanently close 900km of coastline to commercial demersal fishers as of 1 January 2026 and the Victorian Government’s move to eliminate commercial fishing and aquaculture by placing the portfolios in Outdoor Recreation Victoria by July 2026. 

The WA decision, implemented through a $20 million compulsory buyout, has highlighted a critical disconnect between environmental policy and the realities of food security, the health of the community and industry viability. 

Advocating for Growth Over Decline 

The MoU marks the formal support of the SCA for the Marine Futures Alliance of Australia, an initiative dedicated to ensuring that marine policy balances sustainability with the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea. 

Dean Logan, CEO of SMEA, emphasized that the current "terrestrial-based paradigm" of locking up marine areas is failing both the environment and the economy. 

"For too long, marine parks have been used as a political strategy rather than a scientific tool," said Dean Logan. "We are seeing a monumental policy failure where 46% of Australia’s Commonwealth marine environment is closed or restricted, yet we are still seeing drastic, uncoordinated closures that devastate small businesses. In Western Australia, while closures expand, consumers are seeing Kingfish fillets retail for $115 per kg! This is unsustainable. Our goal with the Marine Futures Alliance is to shift the conversation toward superior management aligned to science and incorporating all stakeholders rather than listening to the loudest voices and throwing away the key." 

Protecting the Plate: A Consumer Crisis 

The partnership highlights the severe "flow-on" effects that commercial fishing closures have on the recreational and retail sectors. Data from previous closures in Queensland and New South Wales show a 35.9% decline in full-time equivalent marine sector employees and a 25% downturn in retail output across recreational fishing trade portfolios. 

Peter Wright, Chairman of the SCA, noted that these policies are pricing Australians out of their own local seafood. "Food security is a national priority that is being ignored," stated Peter Wright. "In New South Wales alone, we now import over 82% of our seafood. By partnering with SMEA, we are giving a voice to the millions of seafood consumers who want healthy, sustainable, and affordable local produce. We need to stop the 'recreational versus professional' fisher narrative; it serves no one. Likewise, the fisher v aqua farmer issue. When the commercial sector is squeezed, the entire supply chain, from the local tackle shop to the family dinner table, suffers." 

Key Objectives of the MoU 

The SMEA and SCA have agreed to collaborate on several high-priority areas to revitalize the "Blue Economy". 

• Science Over Politics: Advocating for marine management based on rigorous economic and social feasibility studies rather than political agendas. 

• Food Security & Traceability: Promoting the importance of locally sourced seafood and ensuring consumers have access to transparent, sustainable food sources. 

• Joint Advocacy: Using their combined influence to challenge the "animal rights agenda" that often underpins large-scale closures without considering human impact. 

• Resource Sharing: Combining data and research to professionally and scientifically argue for better management regimes. 

A Call for Unity 

The alliance seeks to replicate the success of previous cross-sector platforms, bringing together recreational anglers, commercial fishers/farmers, boat builders, and hospitality, chefs and foodservice. The parties believe that an adaptive, systems-based approach is the only way to ensure future generations can enjoy both a healthy ocean and a thriving marine industry. 

"The future remains bleak if we do not act now," concluded Dean Logan. "Unity is our only path forward. We are committed to a future built on growth and access, not managed decline." 

About Small to Medium Enterprise Australia (SMEA): SMEA is a leading advocacy group representing the interests of small and medium businesses across Australia, with a focus on sustainable economic policy and industry growth. 

About Seafood Consumers Association (SCA): The SCA represents the interests of Australian seafood consumers, promoting health, nutrition, and the right to access sustainable, affordable locally caught seafood. 

Media Contacts: SCA Media Contact: CEO, Roy Palmer +61 492825012 or seafoodsdg@outlook.com 

SMEA Media Contact: CEO, Dean Logan + 61 403 195798 or admin@smea.com.au 

Coalitions approach to Net Zero needs a clearer strategy

This last week has been horrendous for the Coalition. Jane Hume tabled her ‘nuclear’ bill, Andrew Hastie launched his six point plan to energise the economy and the National Party voted to ditch Net Zero. The lack of leadership and cohesion is the worst many have seen in two decades. There is no plan: just platitudes. Small and medium businesses are crying out for leadership. We really need and deserve better.

The National Party scrapped Net Zero but have an incoherent plan going forward.

Senator Jane Hume tabled her private members bill during the week which is disjointed and strategically problematic.

Andrew Hastie launched his pathway to victory on his own raising real concerns about party unity and cohesion.

The AER argues higher electricity costs for SMEs thanks to the 5,000,000,000 Marinus Link

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) made it very clear in March 2025 that: “The costs of Project Marinus will be recovered through transmission charges levied on Victorian and Tasmanian electricity customers.” CLICK to read the report

When will we say ENOUGH is ENOUGH? Why are we continuing to accept price hikes and burgeoning future generations with such huge debt when there is a very logical and much better solution to generating power?

SMEA Support First Line Responders Australia

We were asked to help develop a service driven model for our amazing first line responders and we couldn’t say no.

First Line Responders Australia (FLRA) supports the amazing work of: police | ambos | fire brigade | nurses and SES.

Watch this space for an official launch announcement.

SMEA Joins Federal Minister to rename yacht after fallen solider

What a great event we had on Saturday 26 July. The renaming event on the weekend was well attended and a great success. Not only did we do something good in honouring a fallen soldier, we also managed to raise the awareness of Sailing On through Chanel 9 News. Mrs Thomas, James’s mother, spoke very well and has asked to pass on her heart felt thanks to all involved and said how much James would have enjoyed the idea. Mrs Thomas has offered to be a spokesperson for us when needed. We should be proud of our achievement in getting The James back in the water after 14 months of work to restore her and 15 years being out of the water. Well done all. Click to see the Ch9 story

SMEA supports charity - Sailing On

We are thrilled to consider the charity Sailing On as a client. Sailing On supports veterans and families navigate life after service through sailing. With bases in Sydney and Perth the organisation has seven yachts and an ambition to register a team in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 2026. Check them out: www.sailingonwa.org.au

SMEA Partners to establish Small Modular Reactors Australia

We can’t keep hiding from the reality that whilst we transition away from coal to generate base load power and accept that renewables are part of the solution, renewables alone will not lower electricity prices for families and businesses, let alone deliver the electricity demands consistently, that we’ll need into the future.

Our goal is to simplify the solution.

But to also question “…why are we not discussing SMRs in Australia as part of a hybrid solution?” CLICK

SMEA Supports the Young Australia Movement

For the first time ever, Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers at the federal election

Did you know, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers at the ballot boxes this year (2025).

The younger cohort together make up 7,718,208 votes while Baby Boomers comprise 5,871,342, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Gen X, which falls between the two, accounts for 4,350,268 votes. It’s precisely why we set up YAM. It’s time to take charge of YOUR future.

SMEA takes on China’s largest non-coal miner and wins

Over a six month period SMEA represented a WA company who were being embroiled in a scheme that forced sub-contractors to pay mining executives large sums of money in order to maintain contracts on-site. We brought the practice to the attention of the firms Shanghai headquarters. This led to a full investigation. The mining company hired lawyers in Perth and sought our support for civil action against mining executives. We declined to support the company on the basis that we knew senior executives were aware of the issue. The West Australian ran the story and senior executives had their their employment terminated. Our client walked away in the knowledge that justice had been done and the practice was unlikely to occur again. CLICK to find out more.