Darryl Hockey standing on jetty in front of fishing boats

Darryl Hockey

Chief Executive Officer

Darryl is a passionate advocate of establishing strategic partnerships and has served on Boards for major industry associations and regional development associations. He has been engaged in business development activities for companies across a range of industry sectors, with experience in defence, oil and gas, construction, agribusiness, mining, political advocacy, public affairs and media management, government approvals, stakeholder relations, communications and project development services.

He is very keen to meet with members in our coastal communities so he can hear from you directly and ensure your priority issues are clearly understood and strongly represented.

Laura Orme

Laura Orme

Fisheries Policy & Strategic Projects Manager

Laura initially joined the WAFIC team in 2021 in the role of Industry Development Manager. Laura is well qualified and holds a Bachelor of Science at UWA majoring in Environmental Management and Marine and Coastal Management and has more than a decade of experience in the fishing industry.

Laura joins WAFIC from DPIRD where she worked across a wide range of positions and responsibilities including policy, strategy, project management, biosecurity and compliance areas, as well as serving as a Fisheries Management Officer. Laura also holds a commercial skipper’s ticket (Coxswains).

Laura’s roles have provided her with a detailed insight into fisheries legislation and policy development and she has an extensive understanding of legislative framework, interpretation of legislation and the application of natural resource management across both commercial and recreational sectors.

Like most in the WAFIC team, Laura is a keen fisher and camper and has a passion for our commercial fishing sector and comes with an enviable network of industry contacts.

Craig Sinclair

Craig Sinclair

Communications Officer

Craig joins WAFIC’s communication unit after several years with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, where he managed communications for projects including the shark response strategy, the Sea Sense campaign and Mid West Aquaculture Development Zone.

Carli Telfer

Carli Telfer

Manager of Policy, Innovation and Technology

In her role as Manager Policy, Innovation and Technology, Carli Telfer brings valuable experience in policy, research, environmental impact assessment, strategic planning, project management and emergency response.  Furthermore she has an in-depth understanding of recreational measurements, marine parks and seismic impacts on fishing.

Carli is very well known across the fisheries sector and is deeply committed to delivering positive results for commercial fishing including resource access, industry development and fishery sustainability.

Her passion for the fishing industry and marine environment began after working in the pearling industry as a chef/deckhand for four years – and like so many in the industry, it got into her blood.

Carli holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management and joins WAFIC after holding key positions with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Forest Products Commission and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Matt Pember

Matt Pember

Senior Resource Access Officer

Matt, as WAFIC’s Senior Resource Access Officer, supports the work of the Executive Officer Resource Access, Mannie Shea, and liaises extensively with WAFIC’s members and others within the commercial fishing, pearling and aquaculture sectors as well as with government regulators.

Matt who holds a doctorate degree in fish biology from Murdoch University took on his resource access role with WAFIC after working for many years in WA’s Department of Fisheries – most recently specialising in Western rock lobster research.

Outside of WAFIC, Matt likes to spend time walking his family’s Golden Retriever along the river. He also enjoys cooking, makes his own sausage and enjoys travelling.

 

 

Marshall Thompson

Marshall Thompson

Fishing Operations Advisor

Marshall Thompson has joined the WAFIC team as Fishing Operations Advisor.

The role aims to develop closer working relationships between WAFIC and its members and assist the development of a successful, sustainable, rights-based commercial fishing industry – buoyed with lots of community support of course.

Marshall has over 30 years of valuable experience across the fishing industry, beginning his career with the Department of Fisheries before holding management roles with Kailis & France (Austral Fisheries), Kailis & Bros (KB Food Co) and Atlantic Limited. He has worked in a variety of fisheries both in Australia and overseas, including lobster, abalone, prawn, pilchards, pearling, and demersal fish.

Additionally, Marshall has a strong background in seafood processing and marketing and previously represented the industry as a member of both the WAFIC and Rock Lobster & Prawning Association Boards.  As such, he has a rare affinity with the industry and considerable experience that he wants to put to good effect by investing his time and expertise back into the industry.

Marshall will retain a close supportive role across other fisheries in the State and his practical on-ground and on-water experience will be a valuable addition to WAFIC’s limited resources.

 

Grace Zhou

Grace Zhou

Finance Officer

Grace is the quiet achiever who beavers away behind the scenes to ensure the smooth financial operation of WAFIC. As Finance Officer she has primary responsibility for providing a range of timely and integrated financial information which is a keystone of the reporting required by the CEO to support the WAFIC Board’s decision making.

Duties include managing all accounts (payable and receivable), payroll, reconciliation, journal entries, BAS and FBT preparations, end of year audit preparation and developing and maintaining financial relations with external stakeholders. Transparency and accountability are more than buzz words to Grace – they are standards she upholds on a daily basis.

When not at work, Grace enjoys travelling, gardening, film and interacting with her iPad.

Amanda Beaton

Amanda Beaton

Executive Assistant

Amanda is the cool, calm and collected Executive Assistant, working primarily with CEO Darryl and the Board of WAFIC.

With over 20 years of Administration experience, Amanda has recently obtained her Diploma of Business Administration, and has worked mostly within the Not-for-Profit Sector over her career.

Away from the office,  Amanda spends most weekends with her musician husband at gigs, or passionately supporting the Fremantle Dockers at their games.  Amanda also enjoys taking photos and has started trying to branch into event photography in her spare time.

Tessa Ramshaw

Tessa Ramshaw

Industry Liaison Officer

Tessa joins the WAFIC team as an Industry Liaison Officer. Tessa holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Marine Science and has extensive experience in scientific field operations and is a qualified PADI Dive Master.

Tessa has worked in fisheries research and aquaculture, most recently working in North Queensland as part of a dynamic team developing world leading science and technology to commercialise Ornate Rock Lobster.

Tessa’s passion for the role at WAFIC, stems from an underlying love of the ocean and outdoors. Tessa jumps at any opportunity to be oceanside, often spending her weekends diving and exploring new stretches of coastline.