We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of New Zealand's quota management system (QMS) at this year's seafood industry conference.
Over the last three decades, the QMS, with its bedrock of sound science, has been instrumental in helping us achieve and sustain healthy fish stocks.
Of the 157 stocks of known status in New Zealand, 83 per cent are above the sustainable limits set by Government, representing 97 per cent of our annual catch.
There's much to celebrate about the QMS this year - well-managed healthy fish stocks and record seafood export returns, which totalled $1.75 billion in the year to end April.
This year's conference then is the industry's chance to not only mark 30 years of sustainable seafood but also look forward to what's ahead for the next 30 years.
We will have a special guest opening conference this year.
There's an exciting programme to look forward to, with an impressive line-up ofspeakers.
Two high profile speakers of international standing will be addressing the conference.
John Connelly, the President of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and Professor Ray Hilborn of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington.
Connelly, who is an advocate for seafood on the world stage, will speak about New Zealand seafood in the international context in his keynote presentation. Prof Hilborn, who specialises in resource management and conservation, will talk about the state of the world's fisheries in the conference's Science and the QMS session.
Dr Pamela Mace, principal advisor fisheries science, Ministry for Primary Industries, will share a scientist's viewpoint of 30 years of the QMS, and the latest state of our fish stocks report.
The success of the Maori Fisheries settlement, and the growth of Maori owned fisheries will be highlighted by Hon Sir Doug Kidd, former Minister of Fisheries and Sir Tipene O'Regan, the founding Chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, who will speak about the Sealord settlement and the QMS, while Jamie Tuuta, current Chairman, Te Ohu Kaimoana, will talk about the growth and future of Maori fisheries.
Foodstuffs National Sustainability Manager, Mike Sammons will share his experience of walking the talk when it comes to sustainability, while MPI's Deborah Roche, Deputy Director Policy and Trade will provide insights into consumer markets.
Delegates will gain some insights from Nielsen New Zealand into what New Zealanders actually think of the seafood industry from research carried out late last year. Rebecca Smith, Director, New Zealand Story will delve into building and maintaining reputation in her address.
Kono NZ CEO Rachel Taulelei, who is passionate about New Zealand's primary sector and developing values based business models, will look into selling sustainability and delivering what the world wants. Darren Lovell, chef/owner of Queenstown's Fishbone, New Zealand's acclaimed and most diverse seafood restaurant, will delve into selling sustainability on a plate.
Finally, the significance of 30 years of the QMS and sustainable seafood couldn't be underlined without mentioning the New Zealand orange roughy fishery, and the outstanding story of its recovery, accomplished with the help of rock solid science and prudent fisheries management.
The day's final session will have Gone Fishin's Graeme Sinclair speaking about his experience filming Ocean Bounty, an industry-sponsored series that will screen next year over 13 weeks.
This year's conference will also for the first time, award our dedicated, hard-working and environmentally conscious "seafood stars". So a reminder to keep those fantastic nominations coming until Sunday, July 31.
Visit this Seafood Stars Awards page for all details. For more info about our Conference speakers and programme visit the conference website or submit your registrations here.
