Mr Hagen Stehr AO Chairman

Hagen is Chairman of one of Australia’s most successful fishing and aquaculture business, Stehr Group.

Hagen began his career as an Officer Apprentice then travelled the world as a cadet in the Merchant Marines in Germany. Serving in the Legion Entrangere  as a Professional Officer in North Africa, Hagen then came to Australia and purchased his first fishing vessel in the late 1960’s.

Long recognised for his expertise and innovation in tuna fishing, Hagen pioneered off shore wild tuna caught fish farming, aquaculture and grow-out of yellowtail Kingfish and Mulloway.

At a cost of $20 million (since November 2000) Hagen’s vision, through the company’s subsidiary Clean Seas Aquaculture Hatchery and grow-out facilities in Arno Bay, has led the way in developing controlled aquaculture spawning and grow-out of Kingfish and Mulloway.

In December of 2005, the Stehr Groups’ subsidiary Clean Seas Tuna Limited was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Funds raised from the $18 million float have been directed into a new venture that could see South Australia’s $200 million – plus per annum wild catch Southern Bluefin Tuna farming doubled.

In a world first, Hagen and his team are developing a commercial on shore breeding facility at Arno Bay in a step towards realising Hagen’s long-term goal of closing the Southern Bluefin Tuna’s lifecycle. When successful, this could double the Southern Bluefin Tuna catch in a decade, without impacting on wild tuna stocks.

• Hagen was the foundation Chairman of Port Adelaide’s Australian Fisheries Academy. The Academy is a major and much needed institution for the training needs of Australian fishing and aquaculture sectors. Hagen was a driving force behind its creation and remains the Chairman a decade later.

• For the past 25 years Hagen has been the Chairman of the South Australian Fishing Industry Council.

• The South Australian Government has extended Hagen’s tenure as Director of South Australian Aquaculture Advisory Council, a position he has held since its
  inception in 2002.

• Hagen has been a columnist for Ausmarine since 1990, where his column “Stehring” has become legendary and a “must read” for all fisherman.

• In 1998 Hagen was awarded the prestigious AO Medal as Officer in the Order of Australia for services to education and training.  For services to the community, in 2000 Hagen was awarded the Centenary Medal. In addition Hagen has received many commendations for his contribution to the community and industry.