About us
Integrity that’s in-built
Fishing boat operators Peter and Una Rockliff rolled their first names together in the 1950s to create the business name Petuna. The family business has grown over half a century to be Tasmania’s largest multi-species seafood company, supplying local, interstate and world markets with premium farmed and wild fish. The Petuna Group now operates in a 50–50 partnership with Sealord, the Asia-Pacific seafood experts.
In the 1980s, Petuna pioneered the orange roughy fishery, but soon realised that trawlers were having an unsustainable impact on the long-lived species. They proposed the introduction of quotas and suffered a backlash from some industry players, but the Rockliffs weren’t about to change a lifetime habit of doing the right thing. Their attitude has been passed down; to the benefit of Petuna’s customers.
The Petuna Group continues to operate its own deep-sea auto-longline fishing vessel, the Petuna Endeavour, ranging around the Tasmanian coast and incorporating the South East Australian Fishing Zone. Petuna jointly with Sealord annually charter a factory trawler to catch Blue Grenadier (Hoki) off the west coast of Tasmania.
Petuna’s processing plant, as well as the nerve-centre of its extensive wholesale and retail network, is located near the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal at East Devonport. The group is proud to operate from the unspoilt edge of the world, but when it comes to getting fine seafood from its door to yours, they are much closer than you think.
The quality of Petuna’s products is complemented by the efficiency of its logistics network to service local, national and international markets. The group’s ability to supply the market with consistent quality, heart-healthy seafood products is the hallmark of its business and the strength of the Petuna brand.
Aquaculture
A hatchery for Ocean Trout and Atlantic Salmon at Cressy is the foundation stone of the aquaculture side of the business. Cold, clean water sourced from the nearby Central Highlands ensures the health of smolt (juvenile fish) of either species. Fish are then hand chosen by our team of specialists to enjoy the unique growing conditions in lightly stocked sea cages on Macquarie Harbour – the Harbour features a layer of tannin-stained fresh water over sea water and, along with strong currents, creates the best aquaculture farming conditions in the world. The brownish tannin, which is characteristic of Tasmania’s wild rivers, provides natural shelter for Ocean Trout and Atlantic Salmon, and helps them achieve a good growth cycle throughout the year.
