GRAEME A JOHNSON

Born 30.4.1946 Hobart Tasmania

Objective

Continue to explore and develop better and more efficient Aquaculture equipment. Establish tuna farming and other species in suitable locations globally. Reduce inefficiencies in the industry. To work with likeminded companies in developing a fast response group that can achieve a wide range of services, design, science, education and management through facilitation. To be able to enrich and benefit the areas of the world we work in through training and transfer of knowledge.

Employment

From 1993 to Current  

Oceana Nets/King Chou Marine Technology Consultant 

 Universal Nets Pty Ltd Managing Director

  • Europacifictuna Limited.  Director
  • G & I Johnson Net Makers Pty Ltd. Managing
    Director
  • Universal International (HK) Limited. Managing
    Director
  • Sea Farms Systems Pty Ltd. Chairman/Director
  • Mediterranean Tuna S.A., Greece. Director
  • Mediterranean Tuna Limited, Malta. Director
  • Marvi Tuna S.A., Turkey. Director
  • Designed, developed and constructed a system for towing cages at sea over long
    distances.
  • 1990-1993
    Netcraft Pty Ltd. Production, Sales,
    Design and Development
  • 1987-1990
    Aquatas. Salmon Farm establishment and general Aquaculture
  • 1984-1987
    Forestry and civil engineering
  • 1976-1984
    Recovery from serious industrial accident. During this period I embarked on a BA Mus. / Dip Education course at the University of Tasmania; my principal instrument was the bassoon, however, I played and taught all woodwind instruments and the french horn, both privately and as an itinerant teacher for the Education Department of Tasmania. I had the pleasure of being in the first performance at the opening of the Sydney Opera House, as at that time I had taken a posting from Regimental duties to be principal bassoonist for the Central Military Band prior to my leaving the services. I began musical instrument repair and manufacture, and helped to establish the first Wood Craftsman Guild in Tasmania. I hand-built a copy of a 1792 Stein fortepiano which was first used in concert by Christopher Hogwood, who directed the Academy of Ancient Music. This instrument travelled with that London-based orchestra, who specialised in authentic performances using period instruments, to many countries and featured in concerts of Baroque and later 18th centrury music, illustrating the evolution of the harpsichord into the later versions of the fortepiano, which in turn evolved into what we now know as the pianoforte.
  • 1973-1976
    Civil Construction and Civil Engineering with Civil & Civic Construction (part of the Lend Lease Corporation) Civil Engineering work making roads with Tasmanian Pulp and Forrest Holdings, Department of Main Roads Tasmania building the Southern Outlet from Hobart. Licensed explosives expert (TNT, Ampho, Cortex, PE and so on). Licensed heavy machinery operator and multiple
    articulated heavy transports. Private Pilot qualified in Singapore (license lapsed).
  • 1963-1973
    Military Service Royal Australian Regiment serving in New Guinea, Malaya, Indonesian Confrontation Malaya / Borneo and Vietnam.
  • Family
    fishing, agriculture and forest work from school leaving age of 12 years.

Additional activities

  • Panel member of the Reserve Bank of Australia small business finance advisory panel (term now completed)
  • Acknowledged contribution to the “Carpin Report” on small to medium enterprises.
  • Site Survey and development of proposed Tuna Farming, Poros, Greece.
  • Helped develop the concept and went on to manufacture and install the first Yellowfin Tuna farm situated at Isla Isabelle, Mexico.
  • Assist with operational design plus manufacture and install Bluefin Tuna Farm, Mazarron, Murcia, Spain.
  • Developed proposals for Mariculture projects and feed mills for Southern Mediterranean Marine developments, Khoms, Libya.
  • Development proposal for project supply and execution for the Secretariat of Marine Wealth Libya (Fawa Aquaculture Project) and advised on the development of Libya’s Tuna resource.
  • Developed and designed the pilot project and feasibility study for minimum self-sustainable fish farms in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
  • Contributed to the environmental impact study for the Tuna Penning off Benghajsa Reef, Malta.
  • Developed Mariculture Agri business proposal in conjunction with associates for the Office of the President of the Philippines, Mindanao province (“President’s Education for Peace Program”).
  • Developed in conjunction with my partner in Europacifictuna Limited, Mr. Ray Dakerman, the proposal for the development of Tuna Farms off Namibe in Angola, Iquique in Chile, Benghazi in Libya, Costa Rica, Oman Sea, Southern Italy, Turkey, Panama plus many more.

Hobbies – building and racing V8 Super cars; Gardening.

Education

  • Primary school Geeveston Area
  • 1964 NSW Leaving Certificate
  • Grade four AMEB, Conservatorium of Music Queensland 1968 Certificate of Distinction
  • Grade seven AMEB, Conservatorium of Music NSW 1970
  • Studied for BA/Diploma of Education University of Tasmania 1979-1982

References

  • Tuna Boat Owners Association of Australia Inc.
  • Terry Gorman B/Sc M/Sc Fisheries Scientist
  • South Australian Fishing and Seafood Industry Skills Centre
  • Peter Bender, Huon Aquaculture Co. Limited
  • Edward Dunn, Mariculura Del Norte Mexico
  • Gines Mendez, Spain
  • Ron Vittorio, Stephens Engineering, Manufacture and Facilitators (SEMF)

Summary of qualifications

  • Heavy Rigid and Heavy Articulated Vehicle
  • Private Pilot (lapsed)
  • Coxswain and Engineers Certificate
  • Shot Blasting License (Mines Department Tasmania)
  • Heavy Machinery Licensed
  • Commercial Diving BSAC (Military)
  • Designer and developer of the Tuna towing and transfer cage system
  • Managed several companies
  • Concept designing of several specialised vessels and flume/wave tank testing at AMC with the cooperation of our Naval Architect.
  • Design the rowing training course for the 2000 Olympics
  • Designed rapid response air sea rescue vessels for the new Hong Kong Airport in conjunction with our Naval Architect
  • Continue to work on designing Aquaculture mooring systems in conjunction with AMOG, Mooring and Rigging using highly sophisticated OrcaFlex analytical software to produce static and dynamic analysis.
  • ISO management Systems

Accreditations

Volunteer Rural Fire Brigades

Military

Patents and publications

Certificate of Design registration number 128098 for fish towing cage

Australian Industrial Properties Organisation Canberra

Paper: Development of analytical model for towing cage drag forces, analysis of forces on floating cages, dynamic loading and allowable loading and stress on MDPE/HDPE pipe cages. August 1996

Awards Recieved, Personal and Company

  • Advance Australia Industry Award and Scholarship
    (Musical Instrument making)
  • 1995 Telstra and Tasmanian Government Small
    Business Award
  • 1995 Telstra and Tasmanian Government Small
    Business Award for Manufacturer with 100 or less employees
  • 1996 Telstra and Tasmanian Government
    Manufacturers Award
  • 1996 Tasmanian Export Award (New exporter
    Commendation)
  • 1997 Tasmanian Export Award  (Winner New Exports)
  • 1997 Australian Export Awards (Finalist)
  • General.
  • Certificate of Distinction 1971 Queensland
    Conservatorium of Music
  • Australian Music Examination Board, passed with
    honors 1971