The inaugural Seafood Sustainability Awards were held last at Parliament last night, hosted by Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash. The awards brought together people from customary, recreational and commercial fishing as well as fisheries science to celebrate sustainability and innovation in New Zealand’s seafood sector.

New Zealand King Salmon were delighted to win the Lee Fish Award for Market Innovation and Value-Added for world-leading waste minimisation, work on plastics and the development of an environmental certification programme.

There were 6 award categories, with winners chosen by an independent judging panel. Recipients included scientists and innovative small fishing operators from Stewart Island to Northland.

“The high calibre of entrants made it a tricky task for our judging panel, but it certainly demonstrates that genuinely sustainable seafood is achievable and happening right here in New Zealand,” said Dan Bolger, deputy director-general of Fisheries New Zealand.

Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive Jeremy Helson said “There is some excellent work going on in the seafood sector both in minimising our environmental footprint and designing innovative new ways of fishing. It is great to see our people getting recognition for their efforts and we thank Minister Nash for making it possible.”