Australis Aquaculture hires seasoned sales vet for executive role

Prominent barramundi supplier Australis Aquaculture has hired industry veteran Mark Prater as its new director of sales, the company announced 10 July. 

Prater, who has more than 30 years of experience in the seafood industry, will oversee the development of new business opportunities and manage key foodservice and retail accounts in his role for Australis – a company he’s worked with in his industry dealings before.

“Mark has worked with Australis for many years as an independent sales representative and we are thrilled to have him bring his deep knowledge of Australis and the seafood industry to us on a full-time basis,” said Bill Shea, Australis’ vice president of sales. 

Through his prior work with Mariners Pacific Seafood, where he spent the past nine years of his career, Prater served as a regional retained sales agent for numerous organizations including Australis, International Pacific Seafoods, Regal Springs Tilapia, Bonamar Seafood, Villa Seafood, and Certi-Fresh Foods. Australis being one of Prater’s first clients at Mariners Pacific, he’s already spent eight years working with the company, and said he knows the developing barramundi market well.

“I have been working with Australis for over eight years to help them expand the market for barramundi. Not only have I seen this species gain tremendous traction and exposure over the years, but we now live in a world where marine-based aquaculture is the future. Australis has proven their leadership in the sustainable seafood world and the time is now to fully support their vision,” Prater said. 

Before heading over to Mariners Pacific Seafood, Prater spent 15 years in senior management on the wholesale side of seafood selling for companies such as Pacific Fish Company in Seattle, Washington, and American Fish in Los Angeles, California. 

Prater will be based out of Southern California in his position with Australis, the company said.

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