David Carter + Jeff Hansen: An Unlikely Alliance

Rare Air with Meri Fatin

It began with a deep sea cod.

David Carter and Jeff Hansen are people who have the courage of their convictions. What’s surprising about their alliance is that at first glance one might struggle to see HOW their convictions are aligned. David Carter is CEO of Austral Fisheries. He’s spent 42 years with the company, working from the ground up as a graduate and thriving under inspiring mentorship. His commitment to sustainable fishing practices has defined his career. This year David was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marine Stewardship Council and Austral Fisheries has been carbon neutral for four years. Jeff Hansen joined Sea Shepherd Australia in 2006 and was instrumental in the success of two anti- whaling expeditions in the Antarctic before being offered Australian directorship by Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson. It’s Jeff’s passion and regard for the ocean and it’s inhabitants that has focussed his efforts into eradicating illegal fishing, plastic pollution and mitigating climate change. It was an appearance at a Senate inquiry about Australia’s future activities in the Southern Ocean, that led to his auspicious meeting with David… because of a shared concern for a deep sea cod - the Patagonian toothfish.