aland on Tuesday at the country’s parliament launched its seafood industry body, Seafood New Zealand.Seafood New Zealand was set up in late 2012 to be more responsive to market and industry changes. It also aims to build a better understanding of the value and benefits of the country’s sustainable seafood industry with New Zealand communities.
As New Zealand’s fifth largest export earner, seafood contributed NZD 1.57 billion (USD 1.28 billion, EUR 986 million) in export dollars in 2012.
“Less than ten years ago our main export market was the U.S. Today the focus is on China and north Asian markets that are growing much faster, with the other markets relatively stable,’’ said Eric Barratt, Seafood New Zealand chair. “At the same time we’ve seen greater individual sector representation across the five key sector groups comprising: aquaculture, paua, rock lobster, inshore and deepwater.
“In response we’ve established a national organization that has clearer accountability in its role of providing whole-of-industry services to promote New Zealand seafood, as well as developing more effective relationships with our wider communities and stakeholders.”
