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© Western Rock Lobster Council 2023.
© Western Rock Lobster Council 2023.
Partner, Australian Venture Consultants & Chair, WRL
Russell (Russ) Barnett is a partner with Australian Venture Consultants, where he leads the firm’s policy and strategy consultancy. He has over 25 years of experience in complex strategy and policy analysis across a range of industries in the Australasian and Asia Pacific Region, with a main focus on the primary and extractive industries, their allied industries, natural resource management and regional development.
Through Australian Venture Consultants, Russ has led significant national studies pertaining to marine issues including fisheries resource access security and has worked extensively with the Western Rock Lobster industry on resource access issues. Most notably authoring WRL’s nationally significant ‘Secure Fishery Resource Access in Western Australia: Policy Position Paper’ (2020), conducting all of the due diligence and drafting for both WRL’s Research Network proposal and Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Plan, and performing a crucial role as Independent Chair during the WRL negotiations with the Western Australian Government with respect to Minister Kelly’s proposed changes to the allocation of the Western Rock Lobster Resource in 2018.
Russ has significant corporate governance experience having served in board and board leadership roles across the corporate, government and academic sectors. He is also currently an Independent Director of Nyamba Buru Yawuru Limited and holds an honorary associate professorship at the Australian National University.
General Manager ICT & Digitalisation, FRDC
Kyaw Kyaw Soe Hlaing is a visionary leader in digital transformation, currently serving as the General Manager of ICT & Digitalisation at FRDC with a proven track record of driving change and implementing cutting-edge technologies. His recent work includes leading the Australian Agricultural Data Exchange to help liberate data to help advance fishing and aquaculture. His interdisciplinary insights paired with his human centric approach help to bring creative solutions drawing on a wide range of perspectives.
Business Adviser, SBDC Regional
Jen is a seasoned business professional with over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and business development across diverse industries. Jen is based in Geraldton and is an experienced business owner. She currently working with Energy Farmers Australia, a climate tech startup specialising in biochar and previously owned Blaze Digital, a marketing and website business.
Jen has been a business adviser for over six years and is committed to empowering business owners at all stages through down-to-earth, practical advice and strategic guidance.
CEO, WRL
Matt Taylor has a strong background in the fishing industry, including years as a commercial fisherman across numerous sectors. He completed a degree with first-class Honours in aquaculture and seafood science before working for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) which included establishing and coordinating the national research flagship for water in WA.
As Chief Executive Officer, Matt has a primary responsibility for the delivery of WRL’s strategic goals and objectives. He provides high level strategic and tactical advice on industry-related issues and coordinates the implementation of the Board’s decisions.
Project Manager, OceanWatch Australia
Kristin is the Project Manager for OceanWatch Australia’s Whale Entanglement Mitigation Program, where she tackles the challenges posed by the annual humpback whale migration to Australian set-gear fisheries. Her current projects focus on trialing innovative gear modifications to help fishers reduce entanglement risks in Queensland, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Under her leadership, the program received the Research, Development, and Extension Award at the 2024 NSW Seafood Excellence Awards. Kristin’s interdisciplinary background in social science research, fisheries, and conservation has instilled her firm belief that industry-led solutions are essential for addressing conservation challenges while maintaining viable fisheries.
PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST, DPIRD
Simon de Lestang is the Principal Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development in charge of offshore crustaceans, which includes the western rock lobster.
Simon got his PhD in 2000, which was based on the biology and assessment of blue swimmer crab along the west coast of WA. He has now been working on lobster for over 15 years, mainly in the area of stock assessment. The majority of his work nowadays involves programming computer-based stock models.
WA State Coordinators, Stay Afloat
Mel is a social worker by profession, a path which stemmed from a passion to make positive change in community health and safety. Mel has worked in many diverse roles, but it was her 6 years spent working in isolated environments offshore on various vessels and facilities that shone a light on mental and physical wellbeing and redirected Mel’s professional journey. Since then, Mel has influenced a shift in mental health response and safety culture in corporate and FIFO project environments, and she has been recognised for her work developing award-winning mental health and wellbeing programs within isolated work environments.
Steve’s passion for workplace mental health and wellbeing is derived from over 18 years of real-life operational work in Human Resources / People, Culture & Wellbeing roles within a wide range of industries and environments. Leaning on his professional and life experiences Steve provides insight and understanding of the pressures and stresses on business leaders, noting that mental health does not discriminate, irrespective of the seniority of an individual within an organisation. Steve’s practical thinking and operational focus provides the perfect foundation to guide leaders and business owners to create positive, resilient, safe and productive workplaces.
ECONOMIST, WRL
Daniel has a background in agriculture and aquaculture economics, with degrees in Science and in Economics from University of Western Australia and a Master of Arts from Murdoch University.
In his role with WRL, Daniel drives delivery of the Understanding the Markets programme, supports the TACC Committee and conducts other economic research, analysis and reporting needs of WRL.