Aquaculture New Zealand (AQNZ) has appointed Gary Hooper as CEO.
Hooper assumes the role after serving three-and-a-half years as AQNZ marketing director. Prior to joining AQNZ, Hooper worked in a number of key executive commercial and marketing roles with some of New Zealand’s leading brands.
“Gary has worked closely with many of the sector’s stakeholders in the area of international market development and has a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector,” said Peter Vitasovich, AQNZ chairman. “He is a well-known, and well respected member of New Zealand’s aquaculture community and he will be an asset to the organization and the wider industry.”
“Our nurtured seafood is revered by international chefs around the world and enjoyed daily by kiwi consumers. Growth in the industry will create much needed regional jobs within the sector and in supporting industries as well as deliver valuable export earnings, but it is important that we work in balance with the environment and respect the needs of other water users,” said Hooper.
