Seafood NEW ZEALAND A love of seabirds p27 The true cost of recreational parks p36 - August 2016
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Seafood
AUGUST 2016 • VOLUME 24 • NO.4
NEW ZEALAND
A love of
seabirds p27
The true cost of
recreational parks p36
Cover Story: Fisheries for
the future p15
Your biggest catch
could be your worst
nightmare
On the sea floor of Cook Strait, 350,000-volt Severe Penalties apply – don’t jeopardise
power cables and fibre optic cables link the your livelihood
North and South Islands, delivering essential Under the law, any vessel of any size, fishing
electricity and communication to households or anchoring in the CPZ may be subject to
and businesses throughout New Zealand. significant legal penalties. These sanctions
At Transpower, it’s our job to keep this energy cover any equipment that may be used for fishing
and communication flowing over land and or anchoring deployed over the side of a vessel
under sea. That’s why we have a vital interest in the CPZ.
in the protection of our undersea cables from Penalties apply to both the master and vessel
damage caused by fishing and anchoring in owner, including fines up to $100,000 for fishing
the Cook Strait Cable Protection Zone. or anchoring, and up to $250,000 for damaging
As a maritime professional, fishing in the a submarine cable. In addition the Court may
Cook Strait area, the safety of our country’s order forfeiture of the vessel and Transpower may
critical power and telecommunications take legal action to recover repair costs, which
connections is literally in your hands. could exceed $30–$40 million.
Respect the Cable Protection Zone (CPZ) Don’t take chances. Refer to the publication
Cook Strait Submarine Cable Protection Zone.
If you are fishing or anchoring near the CPZ, This is located on the Transpower website
know your exact location by checking the www.transpower.co.nz
relevant charts. These include: NZ 463,
NZ 6212 and NZ 615. Alternatively contact 0800 THE GRID or
0800 843 4743.
Should you snag your anchor or fishing
equipment on a cable, do not try to free it.
Instead, record your position, abandon your Catch fish...
not cables
gear and advise Transpower’s patrol vessel
(“Seapatroller”, Channel 16 or cellphone
0274-442-288) or Transpower of the
situation immediately.
www.transpower.co.nz
CONTENTS
FEATURES OPINION REGULARS
15 Cover feature: Fisheries 13 Kermadec Ocean 35 Recipe: Queenstown chef
for the future Sanctuary: the global champions New Zealand
contest to establish large seafood
36 The true cost of MPAs
recreational fishing parks 43 Event: Nelson Blessing of
the fleet
40 Salt of the Ocean: Born to
fish and be his best
40
27
15 COVER STORY
29 43
XX COVER STORY
Cover Image: Aspen Wolfe (19 months) Pictured at Thames Wholesales Fisheries Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 3
COVER FEATURE
EDITORIALS
Published by Seafood New Zealand Ltd. From the
Chief Executive
Postal Address:
PO Box 297
Wellington
New Zealand
One of the country’s main daily newspapers
Physical Address:
used to have a maxim painted boldly above its
Level 6
chief reporter’s desk, “thoughts are free, but
Eagle Technology House
135 Victoria Street
facts are sacred”.
Wellington That building, with its reminder to the
Phone: +64 (0)4 385 4005 newspaper’s reporters is long gone – it was
www.seafoodnewzealand.org.nz bulldozed down decades ago.
In recent months mainstream and social
media have run with a lot of thoughts and
perceptions, not facts drawing on the body
of science that tells us our fisheries are
ISSN 1172-4633 performing well. Around 83 per cent of
Editorial enquiries: individual fish stocks of known status and almost 97 per cent of landings are
Email: editor@seafood.org.nz above or well above levels where their sustainability would be a cause for
concern.
Advertising enquiries:
Karen Olver
In this issue we include a centre spread marking 30 years of the Quota
Phone: +64 (0)4 802 1513 Management System (QMS). The contributions from our science partners
advertising@seafood.org.nz outline the valuable contributions they make to understanding the status of our
fisheries, informing responsible fisheries management and how science adds
Subscriptions:
value to our products.
Seafood New Zealand is published for the
This disregard for the facts from those who slavishly oppose fishing, is not
New Zealand seafood industry. It is also
available on subscription in New Zealand and isolated to New Zealand.
overseas. Subscription rates are available on Dr John Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute in the United
request. Seafood New Zealand is produced bi- States argues the case for the facts in the case of sustainable fisheries in the
monthly (six issues per annum). face of false perceptions. He says despite the success of America’s Fisheries
Regulator NOAA many consumers believe the American fishing industry has
General:
The reproduction of articles and materials
caught the last fish in the ocean. Consumers didn’t dream this up, he says,
published in Seafood New Zealand, in whole but rather, skilful manipulation by advocacy NGOs with their distorted facts,
or in part, is permitted provided the source and and incomplete science, have clouded fisheries management successes to
author(s), as applicable, are acknowledged. confuse consumers and make them lose confidence in the sustainability of their
seafood purchases. Sound familiar?
However, all photographic material is copyright
Dr Connelly promises to be an informed and engaging speaker at our
and written permission is required to reproduce
it in any shape or form. Contributions of a nature
annual conference in Wellington on August 31.
relevant to the seafood industry are welcomed Also in this issue there is a profile of a young skipper who loves sharing
and industry participants are encouraged to the sea with his seabird companions, a report on a partnership with the
contribute. Letters to the Editor should be Department of Conservation to protect seabirds, and measures used by
signed and carry the writers’ full names and fishermen to prevent seabird capture.
addresses. On January 12 this year the Government announced a proposal for
Articles and information printed in Seafood
recreational fishing parks in the inner Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds
New Zealand do not necessarily reflect – banning commercial fishing from those areas. Some of those who would be
the opinions or formal position of Seafood affected in the Hauraki Gulf have shared their stories.
New Zealand Ltd unless otherwise indicated. The recipe comes from Darren Lovell of Queenstown’s Fishbone Restaurant,
a great advocate for the “facts” about the healthy state of our fisheries and the
All material published in Seafood New Zealand
is done so with all due care as regards accuracy
QMS. He has chosen a delicious, but simple recipe for orange roughy, a fish
and factual content. The publishers and editorial which consumers can now eat guilt free because of the remarkable story of its
staff, however, cannot accept responsibility for recovery achieved through sound science and prudent fisheries management.
any inadvertent errors and omissions that may
occur.
Tim Pankhurst
Chief Executive
4 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4
NEWS
Readers’ survey what you like and what you would like to
read more about in the magazine.
the articles that you have told us you
enjoy reading.
Thanks to all those who participated A clear message came through that We’re always on the lookout for good
in the online survey to find out what you would like more about the ”grass stories about people, vessels, events
you, the reader wants to see in roots” people that make up our industry, and technology so if you have any story
Seafood. their vessels and the technology they ideas please email us at
use. So over the coming issues expect editor@seafood.org.nz.
We have had some great feedback on to see more about these and more of
Image: Khumthong, FreeDigitalPhotos.net Image: John Kasawa, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
SeaDragon fishery.
“Presently we are restricted to the
products, will increase to $33 billion
USD ($45.76 billion NZD) this year.
needs pure utilisation of hoki livers to produce a
New Zealand MSC certified fish oil.”
Australia/New Zealand make up
about 1.5 per cent of the global
New Zealand Quite a low proportion of raw
material for the company’s Omega-3 oil
Omega-3 market, according to the
GOED’s recently published 2015
hoki oil was currently sourced from New Zealand Finished Products Report.
fishing companies, Gornall says. SeaDragon continues to work with
Sai Raje
The company sources its raw New Zealand’s major players to establish
material from Fiji, American Samoa and a supply of edible-quality crude hoki oil,
SeaDragon Ltd is yet to source raw
Seychelles. Gornall says.
material supply of edible-grade crude
It processes fish oils and fish livers SeaDragon’s new Nelson-based
hoki oil from within New Zealand for
into purified Omega-3 fish oils, for refinery, which employs a staff of four,
its new Omega-3 refinery in Nelson.
use in the cosmetic products, or in and has a refining capacity of 5200
The fish oil processor anticipates its dietary supplements manufactured tonnes per year, currently operates only
main New Zealand product will be from by nutraceutical and pharmaceutical a single shift on low volumes of oil. It
hoki but has not managed to source raw industries. was completed at a final cost of $10.8
material supply of crude hoki oil for the SeaDragon’s current range of fish oil million, stepping over a budgeted cost
refinery. products includes - MSC Hoki Liver Oil, of $6 million in 2013-14 and $9.2 million
SeaDragon compliance manager School Shark Liver oil, Ghost Shark Liver in 2014-15.
Mark Gornall says there are two hurdles Oil, and Tuna Omega-3 oil, Gornall said. Sealord, New Zealand’s largest hoki
to sourcing this supply. “Some of these are manufactured to quota holder (with 29 per cent of total
“The first being to source a order and others to stock. quota) confirmed that the company has
New Zealand crude fish oil that is “The products are packed in a only supplied hoki livers to SeaDragon
suitable for human consumption. range of formats to suit the end users’ (34 tonnes since November 2015) and
“This gives us access to relatively requirements.” that it processes its entire fishmeal
large volumes of fish oil from The Global Organization for EPA and product itself, either at sea or on their
New Zealand fisheries. DHA Omega-3s (GOED), a worldwide land-based facility.
“The second is for it to be 100 per marketing board for Omega-3 oils, SeaDragon has also produced several
cent hoki such that we can utilise the forecasts that the worldwide market batches of New Zealand salmon oil
sustainability credentials of this Marine value for all Omega-3 uses, food and continues to work closely with the
Stewardship Council (MSC) certified ingredients as well as pharmaceutical New Zealand King Salmon Company in
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 5
NEWS
this area, Gornall says. yearly performance forecast, reporting of 31 March 2016 and 30 June 2016.”
“SeaDragon re-commenced a net loss after tax of $5.5 million, The company breached a covenant
production trials of salmon oil from including an inventory write-down of relating to how much working capital it
by-products as we look to invest in new $4.3 million (increased from unaudited should hold in comparison to its debt.
equipment for this. net loss of $4.9 million and writedown of In July, the company also announced
“The product is available for sale and $3.6 million). the appointment of a new chief
we have plans for salmon oil production The loss was almost double that of executive - Nevin Amos, who will
to continue.” $2.8 million in the previous year. take over from interim chief executive
New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) On May 27, SeaDragon confirmed Richard Alderton in October.
divisional manager Simon Thomas its exit from the Omega-2 oil market, He is currently chief executive at
says they have supplied relatively small helped along by a $3 million convertible Pacific T&R, and previously worked at
volumes of edible-grade raw material loan from one of its major shareholders SeaDragon’s cornerstone shareholder
(heads, frames, skins and trimmings) to Comvita, which holds a 13 per cent stake Comvita for about 10 years.
SeaDragon as it trials the oil extraction in SeaDragon. Manuka giant Comvita SeaDragon Chairman Colin Groves
process. has been granted further options that says Dr Amos’ strong links to Comvita
NZKS has a large volume of would allow it to acquire a 25.2 to 30.6 will also assist SeaDragon to make the
remaining raw materials available that per cent stake in SeaDragon. most of the strategic alliance it has
are currently sent to another rendering SeaDragon says it agreed to sell formed with its cornerstone investor
facility to produce salmon meal and the majority of its existing Omega-2 to add value to New Zealand fish and
crude salmon oil, Thomas says. inventory (goods in stock) to “a major aquaculture products.
“This is a low tech low return disposal international food and fine chemicals “He has strong leadership skills and
method. company” (for about $2.5 million). a proven record in global business. This
“The partnership that NZKS and Due to the low market price for includes an awareness of SeaDragon’s
SeaDragon can form utilises product Omega-2 products, the sale resulted target markets and an in-depth
that is currently disposed of in a less in an additional write down in value of understanding of supply chain systems
than ideal way. $600,000 to its inventory for the 2016 and processes. These skills have the
“With additional volume coming on financial year, bringing the total write- potential to add enormous value as
line we are able to provide product in down to $4.3 million. we transition to the production and
substantial volumes and therefore give In a statement published with its marketing of sustainably-sourced
SeaDragon confidence in building a annual report, SeaDragon says as a Omega-3 fish oils,” Groves says.
business case around the extraction of result of the additional write-down, the
oil from our King salmon.” company “did not comply with one
SeaDragon’s audited financial results, of its lending covenants set out in its
released on June 30, shows it missed its lending facilities with Heartland Bank as
Long
service
recognised
Long service by fishing
veterans Ted Collins (left) and
Joe Hebberley to the rock
lobster industry in the CRA 5
(top of the South Island) rock
lobster fishery was recognised
at a recent meeting of the
CRA 5 Rock Lobster Industry
Association. The awards
recognise their oversight and
guidance of the industry over
many years. Pictured with them
is association chairman Geoff
Basher.
Image: Colleen Kiddie
NEWS
Image: Primary ITO
Raising 2.8 per cent).
Primary ITO Schools Liaison Manager,
as an important global food basket now,
and in a future that requires a global
awareness of Derek McCullum, says the challenge is
to attract good quality people – for the
increase in food production of 70 per
cent by 2050.
where food right reasons – into the primary sectors.
“A more urbanised population does
But it’s going to be the young people
in the suburban schools of Mt Roskill,
comes from make it difficult,” he says. Fendalton, Porirua, Ashburton and
The fight back others that we will be depending on to
But the primary sector is fighting get us there, McCullum says.
One of the less obvious challenges back with a whole range of co-ordinated For more information, please contact:
facing New Zealand’s primary sector initiatives, says McCullum.
is that only 14 per cent of the Anna Cox, Primary ITO Communications
population now lives rurally, and 81 “It’s clear that primary industries Adviser anna.cox@primaryito.ac.nz or
per cent of teens – many of whom will aren’t just sitting on their hands call (04) 382 2853, or mobile (027) 436
be needed to work in the sector – say worrying. “ 6469.
they know only a little or nothing However, he says it’s important to
about fishing, farming and food make sure that attracting and informing About Primary ITO
production. young people about careers in primary
industries is industry led. Primary ITO provides NZQA
A recent Rabobank survey of urban “Primary ITO continues to work endorsed qualifications and training to
teens found that 72 per cent don’t know with industries to establish what skills people employed in the agriculture,
anything, or know just a little, about how businesses want for employees because horticulture, equine, seafood, sports turf
food gets from the sea to plate. Viewed it’s not just a question of the right and food processing industries.
in that light, it’s not surprising that people, but the right people doing the The ITO provides leadership in
there’s a lack of knowledge of primary right things for the right reasons. education and training, develops
industry career opportunities and false “We connect employers with national qualifications, maintains
perceptions about what that career students so that everybody is making national standards and provides
entails. the right choices. It is as much about ongoing support for their trainees and
A quality and substantial workforce knowledge, information and exposure employers.
will be needed to maintain the primary as it is about brokering opportunities Primary ITO training is subsidised by
sector’s fundamental importance and connecting all stakeholders,” he industry and Government.
to New Zealand, especially when says. For more information on Primary ITO
agriculture, horticulture, forestry, mining For all the talk about diversifying the please go to www.primaryito.ac.nz or
and fishing account for 7.6 per cent of New Zealand economy, the fact is that call 0800 20 80 20.
GDP (agriculture around 5.0 per cent primary industry is not only critical to
and processing of primary food a further this country, but also New Zealand’s role
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 7
NEWS
New health Maritime NZ has developed two
new publications aimed at increasing
Act. These publications answer many
of the questions that may be on the
and safety maritime operators’ understanding
of their health and safety obligations
minds of maritime operators and their
workers,” says Forsyth.
publications under the Health and Safety at
Work Act (HSWA) 2015. The Act,
Health and Safety: A guide for
mariners gives an in-depth explanation
which came into effect in April 2016, of health and safety obligations under
places new duties on everyone in the HSWA. The scenarios in the guide
workplace. Maritime NZ is responsible describe how four operators of different
for enforcing the Act in the maritime sizes and types meet their obligations.
sector. The brochure, The Health and Safety
at Work Act at a Glance, provides an
“As the regulator we have a
overview of the new terms and duties
responsibility to help operators
that are important for operators to
understand their obligations, and how
understand.
those obligations apply in a maritime
These publications, along with a
context,’ says Maritime NZ general
series of new guidance documents are
manager of maritime standards, Sharyn
available on the Maritime NZ website or
Forsyth.
you can request a hard copy at HSWA@
“Having a boat or ship as your
maritimenz.govt.nz
workplace raises some interesting
questions about how to comply with the
Sharyn Forsyth
Romance of the tickets would move into the new system
over the following four years. But that
that they are medically fit.
More information on ring-fencing is
sea preserved transition process would have come at a
cost to seafarers and some would have
available on the MNZ website. Seafarers
can check how their tickets are affected
for old salts required additional training to move to
SeaCert tickets.
by going to www.maritimenz.govt.nz/
legacy. (Click “SeaCert” on the Maritime
and their Feedback from seafarers with older NZ website homepage and use the tool
tickets, some nearing the end of their found under “What happens to old
tickets careers, was that they didn’t see the tickets”).
value, in time or money, in moving into Maritime NZ is working with the
Steve Rendle, Maritime NZ.
SeaCert. Ministry of Transport with a view to
The romance of the sea will be In response, Maritime NZ travelled getting rule changes covering ring-
preserved under recommendations round the country to consult on changes fencing in place as soon as possible,
by Maritime NZ to allow seafarers to the SeaCert rules. It proposed a hopefully around September 2016.
to continue to using certificates process called ring-fencing – where
like Master Small Home Trade Ship, seafarers kept their old ticket and could
Master River Ship, and Second and continue using them to do what they
Third Class Steam Engineer. had previously been doing.
The consultation process was one
A new certification system called
of Maritime NZ’s most successful with
SeaCert was introduced for seafarers in
more than 400 seafarers attending
2014, designed to give seafarers a clear
meetings around the country, from
career path and qualifications that are
Invercargill to Gisborne. More than 350
easily used overseas.
submissions were received and there
It’s worked well for seafarers with
was overwhelming support for ring-
modern tickets, but the challenge for
fencing.
Maritime NZ was how to handle older
As a result of the feedback, Maritime
tickets that are no longer issued and are
NZ is recommending that the rules be
a legacy of several previous maritime
changed to allow seafarers to ring-fence
regulatory regimes.
old or legacy tickets provided they have
When SeaCert was introduced, it was
a medical certificate from any GP stating
envisaged that seafarers with these old Keith Manch
8 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4
NEWS
Details on progress will continue to be “We had a look at the issue and “We are trying to make it as
made available on the Maritime NZ decided it was possible to reduce the straightforward as possible for
website. regulatory burden on seafarers with seafarers to continue working with the
Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch some older tickets,” he says. introduction of SeaCert – and for as little
says feedback from the industry showed “For a lot of seafarers, there is quite cost to them as possible.”
many seafarers simply wanted to carry rightly a lot of pride in having these
on doing what they’re doing. older tickets.
The growing gifting was motivated by kinship and
personal relationships. This was the
and have exquisite packaging (50 per
cent). Chocolate might be the most
opportunity for most common gifting group and prices
for gifts were generally around NZ$150,
popular gift, but 82 per cent of our
survey agreed that health food gifts are
food gifting in although, within this group, gifts for
parents were higher, with an average
growing in popularity. “It will never go
wrong when you give them health,” said
China spend of around $260. one focus group member.
The second group was an outer While price, brand and packaging
Gifting has long been recognised circle of relationships more often based were the top three reasons quoted for
as an important aspect of Chinese on access to resources, opportunities assessing the value represented by
culture and, thanks to a booming or services. A giftee in this group a food gift generally, when we asked
economy and rapid social change, included teachers, doctors, clients and specifically about imported foods this
the practice is rising in frequency and employers. This group received gifts shifted to brand, nutritional value and
value. Roger Bourne of Plant & Food less often, but prices were higher, often country of origin. New Zealand fared
reports. around NZ$300. well in the list of countries our survey
New research by Plant & Food Research In Chinese culture, gifting acts as a group had purchased food gifts from.
has revealed that the convergence signal of the value of a relationship to Twenty-nine said they had bought a kiwi
of key trends in diet, food safety and both the giver and the receiver, helping food gift in the past year.
health and wellness, plus a thirst for to define the expectations each has Brand awareness and food safety
foreign brands, has helped imported for the outcomes of the relationship. were the most commonly quoted
foods secure top ranking as the most Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed reasons for choosing New Zealand food
common gift of choice for wealthy urban agreed that reciprocity is a Chinese as a gift.
Chinese consumers. tradition and the higher the price
This presents a significant commercial the more dignity and respect a gift For more details and access to this
opportunity for New Zealand food represented. research or other Plant & Food
producers if they can create and market How a gift looks was often cited as Research-led studies on Asian
products that fit this highly lucrative a key element in its value. Words like consumers, contact
niche. ‘classy’ and ‘good taste’ were frequently insights@plantandfood.co.nz
Plant & Food Research’s Consumer mentioned, and ‘exquisite packaging’
and Products insight team were already was considered a must.
working on Asian consumer food Food has long been a traditional gift
attitudes, so this provided a close in China, particularly during important
research fit. We then brought in global festivals, and while today it must
market trend experts Mintel to design compete with fashion goods, alcohol,
and conduct the study. cigarettes, cosmetics and consumer
They gained insights from more than electronics, it remains the top choice by
2000 Chinese consumers via an online a wide margin.
survey and focus groups, concentrating Ninety-eight of the survey
on urban, wealthy Chinese as a key respondents said they had bought food
target market. The project looked at as a gift in the past 12 months and 93
both the cultural background for gifting per cent said half or more of all their
as well as hard data on which foods gifts were food. They told us they gifted
Chinese consumers want to buy and food mainly because it was useful and
receive as gifts, and at what price. suitable for everyone.
The study found two very distinct Respondents said an ideal food
social groups within which gifting gift should look healthy and nutritious
takes place in China. The first was an (67 per cent), be safe (59 per cent),
inner circle of friends and family, where have a well-known brand (55 per cent)
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 9
GET ON BOARD WITH THE
HEALTH AND
SAFETY AT
WORK ACT
Learn more about how the Act
applies to the maritime sector with
Health and Safety: A GUIDE FOR MARINERS
Request your copy by email at:
HSWA@maritimenz.govt.nz
Nō te rere moana Aotearoa
Or you can view it on our website:
www.maritimenz.govt.nz/hswaNEWS
The power of largest certification companies, shows
that 91 per cent say it is important to
Nielsen’s senior vice president,
reputation and public relations
reputation and know where their food comes from – 40
per cent say they would pay more for
solutions.
“An excellent reputation makes it far
sustainability better information.
A 2014 sales analysis by the Nielsen
more likely a company will be welcomed
into new communities, partner with
Debbie Hannan research company showed that brands respected non-profits working on issues
with a demonstrated commitment to consumers care about most; and be a
Understanding the connection
sustainability grew over four per cent, go to source for products and services.
between sentiment and what
while those without saw less than one And what we know for sure is that
consumers are prepared to pay for is
per cent growth. sustainability is playing an increasingly
becoming increasingly relevant for the
A more recent global online survey significant role in decision making.”
seafood industry.
conducted by Nielsen found that 66 per The New Zealand seafood industry’s
International research shows the cent of respondents say they are willing work to gain accreditation for its
growing value of industry reputation and to pay more for products and services fisheries through the internationally
sustainable business practices. People that come from companies which recognised not-for-profit Marine
want to buy food from trusted and are committed to positive social and Stewardship Council, is a good example
sustainable sources. environmental impact, up from 50 per of this, says Seafood New Zealand Chief
The global Consumer Goods forum cent in 2013. Executive, Tim Pankhurst.
has said that food safety and consumer Nielsen polled 30,000 consumers A survey by SenateSHJ in late 2105
trust are two of the most important in 60 countries across the globe and of 150 business leaders across Australia
subjects for consumers and companies asked them to indicate what factors had and New Zealand showed that 96 per
today. the most influence on their purchasing cent of respondents say reputation is
As the CEO of the retail giant habits. The most important factors one of their primary assets, compared
Walmart, Doug McMillon recently among those surveyed were brand with only half 10 years ago.
tweeted, “customers want food they can trust, natural ingredients and health and More than half those surveyed also
trust”. wellness benefits. agree that reputation is harder to
A survey of 3,043 consumers around “Brand trust and reputation are manage than other forms of risk. Six out
the globe by SGS, one of the world’s paramount,” says Carol Gstalder, of ten say there has been an increase
in the risks affecting reputation over
the last three years ago and it is more
important to manage now than it was
three years ago.
Achieving social licence and the right
to operate is critical to the ongoing
success of the seafood industry, says
Pankhurst.
Seafood New Zealand has been
working with Nielsen for the past
two years to better understand the
New Zealand public’s perceptions of the
seafood industry. A third annual survey
into the industry’s reputation is being
held later in 2016. An overview of the
2015 survey can be found in the April
2016 Seafood magazine.
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 11OPINION
Auckland itself on the sustainable management of
its fisheries and was ranked fourth best
rather than using scientific estimates
such as the NIWA estimates of non-
University on the Corruption Perceptions Index
produced by Transparency International,
landed catch from the deepwater and
midwater trawl sectors, it appears the
catch how did such a result arise?
Some of the answers lie in what is
Simmons methodology relies heavily on
a “critical reality” approach based on
reconstruction and what is not reported in the FAO 308 interviews with a range of “expert”
stakeholders including academics,
– is it science?
statistics and some of the answers lie in
the reliability of the Simmons estimates. fishing company executives, vessel
FAO Reporting officers and crew, former Government
The release of a report on the
officials, former industry representatives
reconstruction of catches from FAO requires the reporting only and scientists and confirmed by other
New Zealand’s marine fisheries, of those catch statistics where the supporting material where possible.
lead authored by Glenn Simmons of information is robust. Commercial The technique is a valid social
Auckland University, was released in sector landings have been reported by science methodology commonly
May this year. Its findings have been fishers in part or in full for the 1950- utilised where objective statistics do
questioned by the seafood industry. 2010 period and were reported to not exist. The approach depends on
Tom Clark, seafood industry policy FAO. For much of the review period, the representativeness and knowledge
adviser, provides his insights into the New Zealand only reported landings by of the interviewees and the depth of
paper. vessels operating under New Zealand material supporting the results.
The New Zealand reconstruction registration. Landings in New Zealand A figure of 308 interviews sounds
was part of a worldwide initiative to waters from vessels from other flag impressive but the expert factor
estimate the total extractions from the states were reported by those flag becomes less robust when over 200 of
world’s seas by the Sea Around Us, states. Catches by the recreational the interviews were with Foreign Charter
a marine research institute based at sector and non-landed catches are Vessel (FCV) crew members, less than
the University of Columbia, Canada. not robustly reported to New Zealand 50 were actual fishers and few if any
While the United Nations Food and and are not reported to FAO. The experts are currently employed in the
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has FAO reported catch for New Zealand seafood sector. Rather than prove the
collected international catch statistics was only part of the total catch in representativeness and experience
since 1950, that reporting is based New Zealand waters. of the interviewees, the report paints
only on commercial landings. The Sea The Sea Around Us datafiles indicate a fanciful multi-hued picture of the
Around Us project sought to estimate New Zealand reported 9.1m tonnes of New Zealand fisheries - littered with
total extractions, landed and caught, commercial catch and other flag states excerpts from the interviews including
commercial and recreational, through a reported catches of 5.9m tonnes. references to fishermen’s cats eating
series of country-based estimates. Other Landings and Catches unreported catch, fish traded for sex,
The Sea Around Us reconstructions dumping when the Government’s
The following figures are derived
used official statistics where they existed observer’s attention was diverted and so
from the Simmons report and the
and, where necessary, estimated other on – all entertaining hearsay but hardly
Sea Around Us datafiles but there
catches and landings. Where data was the stuff to support the estimates in
are inconsistencies between the
missing, the reports generally used his report. The report contains lengthy
two information sources. The report
country or international research to passages on a wonderfully wide range
indicates a reported catch of 14 million
supplement the information. of topics such as conversion factor fraud,
tonnes, unreported catch of 9.2 million
The New Zealand Re-construction on-board consumption, black market
tonnes and an unreported discard catch
landings, damaged fish, oversized fish,
The re-construction estimated that of 14.3 million tonnes.
undersized fish, lack of hold space
New Zealand’s catches for the 1950-2010 The estimated invisible landings and
and quota restrictions – all designed
period were 2.7 times (a total of 38.1m unreported commercial catch together
to demonstrate the knowledge of the
tonnes) the amount reported to FAO exceed the reported catch. But how
authors but sadly lacking a factual basis
(14.0m tonnes). To put this in context, robust are the figures for invisible
that might result in robust estimates
of the 247 catch reconstructions, landings and discarded catch?
of unreported catch. The report also
New Zealand’s reporting integrity The report does not provide a
includes findings from a small number
ranked fifth to last, with only Haiti, robust detailed description of the
of Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Guinea-Bissau, French Guiana and methodology that was used to inform
compliance investigations into specific
Cambodia behind it and with nations those estimates. Unlike other country
issues. There is a great deal of verbiage
such as Zaire, Somalia, Ghana, ranking analyses which use available scientific
but very little fact.
ahead of it. For a nation which prides information or international studies and
The Simmons estimates of
12 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4OPINION
New Zealand catch have then been –– Changes to the levels of reported for the major deepwater fisheries,
attributed to fishing nations, fishing catches between iterations; and calculates that, for the same 20 year
sectors and species. Recently Sea –– Changes to species caught. period, discarded catch formed less
Around Us provided an updated The FAO does not report recreational than seven percent of the fish caught
attribution. Those attributions have or customary catch or discards. in the major deepwater fisheries
included: No-one would deny that unreported which together make up 80 per cent
–– Changes to the level of catch catch occurred in the past and to a of the New Zealand’s reported catch.
for species, years and nations lesser extent still occurs today but are Which to believe – the scientific or the
previously reported to FAO; the Simmons’ results credible or not? pontificated?
–– An annual average of 110 tonnes of Making an allowance for recreational Simmons refers to using a critical
orange roughy catch attributed to and customary catch, the Simmons reality approach to the estimates. Until
the recreational sector since 1950; report indicates that unreported catch Simmons releases his methodology
for the commercial sector has been and the material he used to inform
–– An annual average discard of 20,00
in the order of 57 per cent of the fish the estimates, we can only assume it
tonnes of commercial orange
caught for the period from 1950 to 2010 relates to another reality but certainly
roughy catch since 1950 compared
and 65 per cent in the last 20 years of not the New Zealand reality. Or maybe
with an annual reported catch of
that period. By contrast, NIWA which there were recreational fishers in 1950
10,000 tonnes;
routinely analyses unreported catch catching 123 tonnes of orange roughy?
Kermadec are also enthusiastic contestants – the
UK, for example, trumpets its plan to
Ocean protect the oceans around its overseas
territories as “the biggest conservation
Sanctuary: the commitment by any government ever,
pledging to protect an area of ocean
global contest three-and-a-half times the size of
to establish
Britain”.
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary
large MPAs is one of at least 21 ‘large MPAs’ or
MPA networks recently proposed or
Nici Gibbs established in the world’s oceans.
What’s driving the contest?
The Kermadec Sanctuary was
Johnston Atoll, a former US military air base is
When Prime Minister John Key heavily promoted by US-based Pew also the site of the world’s largest MPA.
announced to the United Nations Charitable Trusts, reflecting the global
General Assembly that New Zealand trend of wealthy US and UK-based for large MPAs. Distant northern
would establish a large no-take environmental NGOs campaigning hemisphere nations such as the United
marine protected area (MPA) around to establish large MPAs in other Kingdom, the United States and
the Kermadec Islands, he adopted countries. At the same time, NGOs are France are busy establishing large
the language of a competitor in a advocating for the protection of 30 per MPAs around their remote ocean
global contest to close off the largest cent of global ocean habitats from all territories and claiming these areas as
possible areas of ocean. extractive activities (the current target their national contribution to global
is 10 per cent). With targets of this marine protection, while leaving their
John Key claimed that the 620,000 sq
magnitude, it’s not surprising that many own coasts available for utilisation. The
km sanctuary would be “one of the
governments are readily persuaded that focus on remote islands also means that
world’s largest and most significant” and
a larger MPA is a better MPA. MPAs are established not in areas where
would cover an area “twice the size of
It’s also not surprising that – as they might be needed to manage
our landmass and 50 times the size of
illustrated by Pew with the Kermadec threats to marine biodiversity – but
our largest national park in Fiordland”
islands – small islands with large in areas like the Kermadecs that are
including “the world’s longest
Exclusive Economic Zones are relatively pristine and where biodiversity
underwater volcanic arc and the second
frequently targeted as candidate sites is not threatened.
deepest ocean trench”. Other nations
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 13OPINION
Given these pressures, Pacific states areas of ocean in which vessel traffic can established MPA networks in the world
such as New Zealand are particularly be constrained and closely monitored. are New Zealand’s Benthic Protection
vulnerable to MPA campaigns. In a Examples include Johnston and Wake Area (BPA) network (1,718,765 sq km)
global context the Pacific is grossly Atolls (the two largest no-take MPAs and the US’s Pacific Remote Islands
over-represented in large MPAs – of the in the world) which are administered Marine National Monument (1,269,065
established MPAs, 97 per cent by area by US defence agencies, Ascension sq km). If the Kermadec Sanctuary is
are located in the Pacific Ocean. Island which hosts a mid-Atlantic established as proposed, it will be the
With a few exceptions, motivations airfield shared by UK and US forces, single largest MPA as well as the largest
for establishing large MPAs seldom and the Chagos Archipelago in the ‘no-take’ MPA in the world. However,
relate to protecting representative or Indian Ocean. The UK-designated it won’t increase New Zealand’s
special areas of marine biodiversity MPA surrounding the Chagos Islands contribution to global MPA targets as
(although biodiversity protection may be was overturned by a United Nations the Sanctuary, in its entirety, overlies an
a side-benefit). Instead, MPAs are often Convention on the Law of the Sea area of ocean already protected by the
adopted as a substitute for effective (UNCLO) arbitral tribunal in 2015, but BPA network.
fisheries management – reflecting not before leaked cables between UK Unfortunately for the planet’s oceans,
the failure of Regional Fisheries and US officials revealed that the MPA the competition to establish the world’s
Management Organisations to agree on was a ploy to prevent the return of the largest MPA has little to do with marine
management measures and the lack of Islands’ original inhabitants who were biodiversity protection. Effective marine
domestic fisheries enforcement capacity displaced in the 1960s to make way for a protection requires clear biodiversity
in small island nations. US military base. protection objectives and targeted
It’s no coincidence that islands Who’s winning? management of the real threats to
within large MPAs are often of strategic When announcing the Kermadec biodiversity – attributes that are
military importance to the designating Ocean Sanctuary, John Key may not cheerfully discarded when the global
government. It serves the interests of have realised that New Zealand was contest is framed around the simplistic
these governments to establish large already leading the pack. The largest measure of the size of MPAs.
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14 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4COVER
NEWS
FEATURE
30 years of QMS -
fisheries for the future
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16 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4
ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited 06/16 18109COVER FEATURE
“ This programme of work is about refreshing
and improving our fisheries management
“
system, not replacing it
The QMS now so important to the success of the
seafood industry. Not only does it
Work is already underway on
installing electronic monitoring and
and for the allow for sustainable management,
but it demonstrates to markets and
cameras on all commercial fishing
vessels across New Zealand, and earlier
future consumers that we are managing our
resources wisely.
this year I signalled to my officials that
this work should be fast-tracked.
It is an important part of the industry’s This increased monitoring will
social licence to operate - producing provide greater transparency and
our products sustainably, bringing the improve public and market confidence
community with us, and earning their that our fisheries are being well
respect and understanding. managed.
A good example of this is Precision While the QMS has been recognised
Seafood Harvesting, a $48 million as world leading, this is no excuse
joint project in which industry and for resting on our laurels. Last year I
Government has been developing announced an operational review of our
revolutionary new net technology. fisheries management system to ensure
Undersized fish escape through it is up to date and working efficiently
specifically designed slots and fish and fairly.
arrive onboard in pristine condition. Any While the fundamentals of our
unintended catch can be returned to the QMS are sound, the review will look
sea with a much higher survivability rate. at possible changes to fisheries
This is part of the Primary Growth management processes, regulatory
The Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy Partnership and involves Sealord, change, and amendments to the
Sanford, Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and Fisheries Act.
MPI. The programme is expected to This programme of work is about
Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary
deliver around $44 million in economic refreshing and improving our fisheries
Industries.
benefits per year by 2025, and it has management system, not replacing it.
The 30th anniversary of the Quota already won numerous accolades The long term aim is to deliver greater
Management System is a good including Supreme Innovator award at net value to all sectors – commercial,
opportunity to celebrate the success of the New Zealand Innovators Awards in recreational and customary, while
New Zealand’s seafood industry, and 2014. enhancing the sustainability of our
at the same time look ahead to future Earlier this year ‘Tiaki’ was launched fisheries.
opportunities. as a result. Customers around the world The review won’t undermine existing
Recently the Ministry for Primary will know when they see this label that rights and interests of commercial,
Industries released their Situation the fish has been sustainably caught customary and recreational fishers,
Outlook for the Primary Industries, which and carefully selected, and will also Treaty settlements or core elements of
shows seafood exports have reached be able to use their smartphone to see the QMS. It also won’t be getting into
nearly $1.8 billion for the year to June where and how their fish was caught via the detail of things like bag limits or
2016 – a rise of 15 per cent from the a specially designed traceability app. quotas. The current sustainability rounds
previous year. As well as the economic benefits, and other work programmes by MPI will
As a Government we’ve set a goal ‘Tiaki’ will have real benefits for continue.
of doubling the value of primary sector New Zealand’s reputation as a producer Later this year the Government will
exports by 2025. It’s an ambitious target of premium, high quality, sustainable release a public discussion document on
but one that has been adopted by products. any proposed changes to our fisheries
many industry groups, including the Social licence is also a driver for MPI’s management system, and I’m looking
aquaculture industry which is targeting rollout of monitoring equipment on forward to everyone’s feedback on this.
$1 billion in sales by 2025. commercial fishing vessels to increase We should all be proud of the QMS.
Achieving this goal is all about public transparency. By and large, the While it is considered a world leading
adding value to what we produce, industry has recognised the importance system we need everybody’s input to
because we clearly can’t just double the of this and shown leadership by driving continue to drive the economic and
volume of what we take from the sea. the installation of cameras on the environmental sustainability of the
This is why the QMS has been Snapper 1 trawl fleet. seafood sector.
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 17COVER FEATURE
“ As someone who has been involved with the QMS since
its inception, I have personally observed great progress in
“
New Zealand’s fisheries management and innovations in
science to support this
Celebrating that show steady and increasing levels
of abundance in each of our main fish
our laurels, while celebrating our
success, we are very focused on the
30 years of stocks. Of the 157 stocks of known
status in New Zealand, 83 per cent
future and constantly bringing in
new improvements. Industry and the
sound science are above the sustainable limits set
by Government. This is 97 per cent of
Ministry for Primary Industries are
developing improved trawl harvesting
and prudent our annual catch of more than 420,000 techniques, improved scientific
fisheries
tonnes. assessments, improved monitoring
As someone who has been involved methods and improved assurances for
management with the QMS since its inception, I have
personally observed great progress in
our customers, so that they can continue
to buy our sustainable seafood with
New Zealand’s fisheries management confidence. In 2015 Industry accepted
George Clement, Chairman Seafood and innovations in science to support the Government’s aspirational goal of
New Zealand this. doubling export revenues by 2025 and
Hoki as a good example of how we are on the growth path to achieve
fisheries stocks fluctuate, how science this.
This year New Zealand celebrates can be used to monitor and model
30 years of the Quota Management these changes and, in combination Footnote: George Clement played
System (QMS), a fisheries system with responsive management, how this a key role in the development and
that was world-leading when it was results in a productive and sustainable implementation of New Zealand’s
established, and continues to stand fishery. The hoki fisheries were the first Quota Management System (QMS)
the test of time. in New Zealand, and the first white- between 1983 and 1987 while working
fish fishery in the world, to achieve the in the Fisheries Management Division
Prudent stewardship of our fisheries,
prestigious Marine Stewardship Council for the former Ministry of Agriculture
underpinned by sound science are the
(MSC) certification for sustainability in and Fisheries (MAF).
cornerstones of the QMS.
2001 and has remained certified for 15 He had a direct involvement with the
As John Connelly, President of the
years. development of the original concepts,
National Fisheries Institute, United
Over the following pages you will the policies and legislation, was the
States of America, says good fisheries
read more about the science and lead person in consultation with
decisions start with good science.
fisheries management measures that sit industry and with the implementation
The Ministry for Primary Industries
behind the success of the QMS. and early operation of the QMS, both
has decades of peer-reviewed science
But this isn’t about resting on within government and subsequently in
18 | Seafood New Zealand | Volume 24 No. 4COVER FEATURE
Tough introduction of the
QMS – especially
decisions led to our rock lobster
and snapper stocks.
fisheries’ good Orange roughy
now has several
health stocks rebuilding
to levels that are
Shelton Harley, Manager Fisheries
globally recognised
Science, Ministry for Primary
as sustainable. Our
Industries
system can work,
Fish eyes the size of grapefruit are but it takes time and
probably my most vivid recollection of robust science. We
the time before the QMS came in – my are always looking
father was fishing East Cape on the to improve and a Shelton Harley
Sunniva. I recall watching them unload current focus within MPI is to develop
their catch including bass with heads innovative ways to better assess and
manage some of the ‘next-level’ stocks expectations into levels of abundance
like letterboxes.
which significantly contribute to our which reflect targets (i.e., abundance of
With this heritage it is not surprising overall fisheries picture. fish we want in the water) and limits (i.e.,
that fisheries have played a big role in Public interest in the New Zealand lower abundance of fish we don’t want
my family. I embarked down the path of marine area has grown dramatically to get close to) that can be used to help
marine science while my two younger – as a country we care deeply about manage these stocks. I look forward
brothers each spent a decade within making sure there are enough fish in to being involved in discussions such
fisheries – one as a fisheries officer and the sea for the future. Globally people as those occurring with the Guardians
the other as a commercial fisher. who consume New Zealand seafood of Fiordland, ‘Te Korowai’ Coastal
Fisheries science has taken me to are more interested in questions of Guardians of Kaikoura, and within the
the Gulf of Alaska, Atlantic Canada, and sustainability. Hauraki Gulf.
around more than a dozen Pacific Island One of the ways this is manifesting is My top two science needs for the
countries, but my heart has always been increasing calls and expectations around future are smart people, and more easily
for New Zealand fisheries and those an “ecosystem approach to fisheries accessible information. I genuinely
people who rely upon them – whether it management (EAFM)” and local believe we need as many good minds
be for employment, enjoyment, food or community engagement in fisheries working in fisheries science as we can
cultural significance. issues. get and we need to increasingly reach
From this journey I am convinced I would argue that New Zealand’s out to universities and other researchers.
that the current good health of the fisheries management regime is not Students need to be involved working
majority of New Zealand’s fisheries just a “single-species management on real problems with real data.
can be attributed to some very tough system”, but incorporates the key We need to fully embrace electronic
decisions (around the introduction of elements of an ecosystem approach. tools for collecting and verifying
the QMS) and an investment in great We have conservative catch limits fisheries data. Considerable resources
fisheries science, scientists, and fisheries for some forage species and specific are spent entering, reviewing and
managers over the past 30 years. Before management plans around the impacts correcting data – not only is this
the QMS was introduced New Zealand of fishing on the seafloor, sharks, inefficient, but it also leads to delays
had too much fishing capacity and if we seabirds, and marine mammals. in the availability of the information to
had moved to more traditional methods The current fisheries review MPI is inform fisheries management and the
of capacity or effort limitations I believe undertaking provides the opportunity public. Rolling out electronic reporting
we would now be experiencing many of to ensure that New Zealand fish stocks solutions for New Zealand’s fisheries
the issues seen elsewhere in the world, and their broader marine ecosystem as part of the Integrated Electronic
such as fishing seasons measured in are globally recognised as sustainably Monitoring and Reporting (IEMRS)
days or even hours! managed. project will have real benefits for
Today more than 95 per cent of New Zealanders are increasingly New Zealand fisheries.
the stocks that we can assess have no articulating expectations for what I look forward to working with
sustainability concerns at the Quota they expect from fisheries, e.g., why scientists and other stakeholders
Management Area level. We have good am I catching less fish in my favourite to continue to build upon the
news stories about stocks that have fishing spot. As a scientist a key role strong international reputation that
recovered or are recovering since the in the process is to transform these New Zealand has for our fisheries.
Seafood New Zealand | August 2016 | 19You can also read
