Following five years as Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) Secretary, Dr John Whittington, has accepted a new role as the Chief Executive of the Blue Economy CRC.
The international organisation brings together aquaculture and renewable energy sectors to enhance the delivery of off-shore, vertically integrated production systems, with a focus on growing a marine-based blue economy. The role is based in Tasmania.
Dr Whittington, who has extensive experience as a public service leader and has worked with CSIRO and universities across the world, is well placed to lead Blue Economy CRC, which brings together partners from government, industry, and research and development sectors to deliver innovative and sustainable seafood and renewable energy systems.
I take this opportunity to thank Dr Whittington for his leadership and service, in particular, the sustainable growth and management of the state’s agri-food sector. Our primary industries have gone from strength to strength, with improved environmental, bio-security and resource management initiatives to support this growth, driven by Dr Whittington and his team.
While a process is undertaken to identify the new DPIPWE Secretary, Jason Jacobi, current DPIPWE Deputy Secretary, will assume the interim acting role.
On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I thank Dr Whittington for his contribution and wish him all the very best in his new role.