National Fisheries Institute President John Connelly addressed the New Zealand seafood industry at its annual conference on Wednesday, 31 August, praising it for its responsible fisheries management.
Connelly, who heads up the United States’ seafood trade association, said New Zealand’s seafood industry “punches above its weight” considering its distance from major markets, according to a press release from Seafood New Zealand. He praised New Zealand’s seafood industry for its participation in important international initiatives pertaining to seafood, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Committee of Fisheries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture and World Health Organization Committee on Nutrition and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Connelly also praised New Zealand for the quality of its marine resources management and its fisheries research and science information.
“New Zealand’s 30-year-old Quota Management System [has] led the way by providing a fine balance between utilization and sustainability to ensure viable fisheries for current and future generations,” Connelly said at the event.
Also speaking at the New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference in Wellington was Seafood New Zealand’s Executive Chairman George Clement, who said the country’s seafood industry continues to show strong growth, with export earnings reaching NZD 1.78 billion (USD 1.29 billion, EUR 1.16 billion) year-to-date through June. The total was an increase of NZD 201 million (USD 145.8 million, EUR 130.7 million) over the same date range from the previous year.
“Last year industry accepted the Government’s aspirational goal of doubling export revenues by 2025 and we are on the growth path to achieve this…further demonstrating that we continue to make a significant contribution to the economy as one of the country’s main export earners,” Clement said.
Clement also had high praise for his country’s Quota Management System, which marked its 30th anniversary this year.
“Prudent stewardship of New Zealand’s fisheries, underpinned by sound science are the cornerstones of the QMS,” Clement said. “The Ministry for Primary Industries has decades of peer-reviewed science that show steady and increasing levels of abundance in each of our main fish stocks. But this isn’t about resting on our laurels, while celebrating our success, we are very focused on the future and are constantly bringing in new improvements including trawl harvesting techniques, scientific assessments and innovative technology.”
Also at the conference, Seafood New Zealand handed out Seafood Star Awards to individuals “who have made a significant contribution to the industry.” The winners included:
Longstanding Service Award:
• Doug Saunders-Loder (Motueka), President of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen
• Rob Pooley (Marlborough), President New Zealand Marine Farming Association
Seafood Innovations - Sustainability Award:
• Dave Kellian, (Warkworth)
Young Achiever Award:
• Adam Clow, (Whitianga)
• Te Tane Trinick, (Queenstown), Mt Cook Alpine Salmon
