From potential marine biologist to deepsea first mate and then manager at Independent Fisheries Ltd, Chris has seen the industry from all sides. Recently retired, he shares reflections from his years at sea.
How did you first get into the commercial fishing industry?
It was never my intention to be a fisherman. I wanted to join the Navy just like my dear old dad, but when I rocked up to the recruitment office in Wellington the bloke behind the big desk in the blue uniform said, “Sorry son, you wear glasses.”
Jacques Cousteau and his “Aquanauts” were doing wonderous things with coral reefs and wrecks aboard the Calypso, all displayed in glorious black and white on our AWA Deep Image telly, so a marine biologist was my fallback position. And I did go some way to achieving this with a certificate of science in biochem and microbiology and a full-time job with Fisheries Research Division in Wellington. However, a four-month summer deployment on a US flagged super seiner chasing skipjack tuna off the northeast coast of New Zealand was the catalyst. That was 1976.
What was your favourite role and what did you enjoy most about it?
A first mate has to be the best job in the world. My time as mate with Rick Tregidga on the Amaltal Explorer rates as one of the best of times.
With his ‘Goon Show’ humour and mentoring, ‘Old Scrote’ was awesome to work for – however, I never realised what stress he was under behind the scenes until I got the skipper's job. Despite that I enjoyed being the ‘Old Man’ because I have, through my career, been blessed with very good crews covering my shortfalls and weaknesses. Perhaps that’s what I was good at, picking good people to work with me, to be part of the team.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
If you’re no longer having fun, if your job makes you angry and job satisfaction is waning and you no longer look forward to going to sea, it’s time to reevaluate – be that a different role within the industry, or away from it completely.
What skills do you think are most important for someone working in this industry?
A thick skin and a sense of humour. The ability to play multiple roles as a medic, a mentor, a father figure, marriage guidance counselor, judge and jury, a shoulder to cry on or bounce ideas off. Better to ask advice before pressing forward and making a complete cockup because your ego got in the way.
Is there a common misconception about commercial fishing or the seafood industry you’d like to set straight?
There are a number of glaring misconceptions. One is foreign crew are paid peanuts. Not so. When reflagging came in 2014, irrespective of ownership, all fishing vessels in New Zealand had to fly the Kiwi flag. This brought them under our health and safety and employment regulations.
The second is trawling. The word trawling simply means ‘towing’ and there are a number of net types that are towed. The misconception that bottom trawling results in forests of coral being bowled over every time you shoot away is also untrue – we’re not bulldozing a new ‘road and subdivision’ every time we go to work! Most trawlable ground hasn’t changed for decades, and you tow your gear over the ground your father, grandfather and great grandfather towed, at the same depth and time of year catching the same fish. Stop it, now you’ve wound me up!
What’s been your most memorable day at work?
Coming home low and slow, the freezers full, boat sparkling, Def Leppard banging away on the bridge hi-fi.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I have a really great extended family and grandkids and I love it. Family and good friends, there’s nothing better. But if you’re asking about ‘me time’ that revolves around ‘Charlotte the Harlot’, my Gen 2 Hayabusa – or the ‘other woman’ as my wife calls her. I have been involved with the Ulysses Club for 30 years, I’m a member of the IBA, the Iron Butt Association, and the NZ Distance Riders and the like. I’ve also done a number of adventure rides overseas – I’m heading back to the Himalayas next June and I’ve a got a number of bucket list rides to knock off while I’m still able to do so.
What’s your favourite kaimoana, and how do you like to enjoy it?
No, it’s not crayfish. I’d rather eat a good sausage or a pie. Crumbed tarakihi and half a scoop from the Lyttelton chippy washed down with a pint of hazy from the brewery next door ticks the box. Snapper is pretty good too but hard to get down here. Sashimi, wasabi and soy sauce and a cold beer…now that’s living the dream.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time in the seafood sector?
I think I was a competent fisherman, but I wasn’t a great fisherman. Certainly not in the league of the likes of Pete Connolly, Gary Courtney, Rick and Steve Jackson, all of whom I have a great deal of respect for. No, I just happened along at the right time, initially with the skipjack fishery here and around the Pacific and I had the best of it.
When I came back after my time offshore and joined the team at Independent Fisheries Ltd again, I became involved with the purchase, reflagging, refitting and management of their three BATMs. It was the culmination of years of hard work. The family ethos established by Charles, Mark, Grant and Kevin is what makes IFL stand out from the rest. You only have to look at the loyalty of the staff to see that – their professionalism, humour and dedication to doing things proper-like made my job as a manager easy and enjoyable and I leave with many lifelong friends amongst them.
Seeing those blue, green and white ladies coming through The Moles into the inner Lyttleton harbour down by the head, gleaming and clean, I think that is what I’m most proud of, having been a part of that team.
