Ms Cusack said that the money, coming from round two of the 2019 Flagship Event Fund, would be used for marketing purposes to boost the profile of Love Seafood, which is in its third year.

“Love Seafood is a Port event growing in popularity and we are proud to be able to support the committee, Destination Port Stephens, the seafood industry, the council, local businesses and the tireless volunteers who make this happen,” Ms Cusack said.

Port Stephens Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott acknowledged the significance of tourism to the Port economy, and hosting events helped shine a bright light on Port Stephens while putting more heads on beds, diners in our restaurants and shoppers in town.

"Hosting events helps shine a bright light on Port Stephens while putting more heads on beds, diners in our restaurants and shoppers in our boutiques and I’m delighted that Love Seafood has secured a $20,000 NSW Government grant," Ms Abbott said.

"Love Seafood is a fantastic event and I congratulate Destination Port Stephens on their successful application."

Love Seafood is the brainchild of the Commercial Fishermen’s Co-Op in conjunction with Port Stephens Council and the Department of Primary Industry.

Co-Op general manager Robert Gauta said organisers were expecting a bigger and better festival in August 2019.

“We started this two years ago as a means to showcase the seafood industry in Port Stephens and to demonstrate what an important resource seafood is to the Port economy,” Mr Gauta said.

“The festival continues to grow and we can expect to see more Port businesses and restaurants get on board this year, as well as signature events across the town.”

It is the second time the festival, which runs in Port Stephens throughout the month of August, has received money through the Flagship Event Fund. It received $20,000 in 2017.

LOVE SEAFOOD 2018: Port seafood served fresh to the plate in August