On 6–7 August, over 250 delegates descended on the Rutherford Hotel in Nelson for the 2025 Seafood Conference. Claire Williamson reports on the buzzy two-day event, which was marked by a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm.

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Hon Shane Jones’ early announcement on 6 August that the Government would be progressing a key package of reforms to the Fisheries Act 1996 was an uplifting jolt to conference proceedings. Discussions of what the announcement would mean for the industry dominated news headlines and coffee cart chats – and attracted more than a few journalists to the media table; Seafood NZ Chief Executive Lisa Futschek had given at least seven interviews or statements by noon on Wednesday!

Official remarks
Both Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Minister Jones took the stage to voice their support. With the blue economy sitting at 5% of the region’s GDP and employing thousands of people, the success of seafood and its associated industries are key to the success of Nelson Tasman itself. “You’ve got to acknowledge the people at the forefront of the businesses that create the wealth, put their capital at risk,” he affirmed. “I hope we have turned a corner in our attitude to primary industries.”

Minister Jones then addressed the crowd with his trademark combination of humour and bombastic oration. His speech reflected a deep commitment to the economic growth of the seafood industry, epitomised by the proposed adjustments to the Fisheries Act so it functions in line with evolutions to data and technology.

“So there’s no doubt in the room about what I think I’m doing on your behalf through the agency of our government. Number one, there’s too much litigation afflicting our sector,” he declared. “It’s become almost promiscuous the amount of litigation that is directed both to our industry but to our Government over the statutory allocation decisions that are made year after year as to what is an appropriate and defensible level of fish caught.”

Perhaps the sleeper hit of the conference followed. Harold Hillman, a public speaker and executive coach, shared his journey from New York to New Zealand, emphasising the importance of authenticity and empathy in leadership. Walking the length of the stage to look each quadrant of the audience in the eyes, Hillman discussed the challenges of being a closeted gay man in the US Navy and the impact his silence had on reinforcing discrimination – and how his experience illuminated why leaders must foster a sense of belonging, purpose and resilience among their teams, so people can bring their true, complete selves to work. Practicing purposeful listening in meetings and conversations – “listening to understand, not to retort” – was a key suggestion. It’s one we can take forward when speaking to ourselves, to government and to our detractors.

Real solutions for challenging environments
ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner is a regular at Seafood NZ’s conference thanks to the bank’s ongoing support of the event, and once again she provided an insightful update into the wider economic picture. Much of the current situation is understandably uncertain – the country is grappling with fluctuating international tariff rates, supply disruptions and unemployment ticking just over 5%. The South Island is faring better than its northern neighbour, thanks to the strength of its agriculture – primarily red meat and dairy – and population growth in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Zollner identified the baseline the industry is navigating, and the need to appeal to consumers and demonstrate value.

Many of our primary industries, seafood included, are a significant component of “brand New Zealand” – which The New Zealand Story CEO David Downs reminded us is
worth USD $300 billion.

It’s this combination of values and overarching sustainable approach to business that makes our produce, meat products and seafood so sought-after and trusted abroad.

And it’s environmentalism the seafood industry in particular can back up with data and certifications. Matt Watson from the Marine Stewardship Council validated how well New Zealand’s fisheries are performing – 45% of New Zealand’s catch is currently MSC-certified, including our hoki fishery, which was the first large-scale whitefish fishery to achieve certification, and has held it since 2001. Mike Kraft then introduced Certified Seafood International, a new certification providing industry and customers more choice and confidence for ensuring seafood harvesting is held to high sustainability standard.

Attracting and protecting our people
Of course, when speaking to our business partners and seafood lovers, it helps to have something substantive to say. A major way our credibility and trustworthiness with consumers is enforced is through data, science and storytelling.

Well-known inshore skippers Roger Rawlinson, Josh Mower and Salve Zame joined Seafood NZ GM Inshore Tiff Bock for a riveting panel on “skippers doing science” – and why it’s so important, particularly with governmental funding increasingly tight and NIWA’s amalgamation with GNS Science into Crown Research Institute Earth Science New Zealand.

Mower spoke about his involvement developing and trialling the effective Procella weighted hook (read more about this in the September 2024 issue of Seafood Magazine!), and how skipper input was crucial to ensure the hook was effective and safe to use. Rawlinson and Zame each explored their extensive experience collaborating with independent scientific organisations to conduct biomass and trawl surveys, informing stock assessments in key fisheries management areas. It’s a balance of trust and professionalism – the ultimate goal being, as Rawlinson put it, that, “decisions about us aren’t made without us.”

Another area where decision-making is fraught and fisher collaboration essential is marine protection. Perhaps the most invigorating of the event’s panels, Charles Heaphy, Storm Stanley, Kirstie Knowles, and Raewyn Peart from the Environmental Defence Society discussed what “fit-for-purpose” marine protection should be. How do you
ensure an appropriate representation around the table between fishers, local to national governments and the community? Is a holistic approach – considering land and ocean-based impacts – required? Does legislation need updating?

No questions had ready-made answers, but there were renewed calls for mutually respectful collaboration between industry and related players, and dialogue that is designed to support understanding, rather than finger-pointing.

Telling our seafood story
Official proceedings ended on a positive note, with two interconnected media and storytelling presentations. Mary Lambie – many of you may remember her from Good Morning – provided an overview of the shifting New Zealand media landscape and how to confidently prepare for a media enquiry. Her tips? Know the journalist’s style, practice tough questions, and use stories to convey key points.

This advice transitioned into a final panel, featuring Maegen Blom, Chase Saunders-Loder and Tim Barnett, all of whom have found online success within their respective brands. “Authenticity” was a key point – Blom in particular emphasising that you don’t have to be overly produced or edited, just genuine and passionate for your topic; your audience will naturally find you.

Overall, the two-day ‘Seafood for Thought’ conference rode a wave of positive momentum, whether it was through presentations of new technology, scientific achievement or practical advice on how to put yourself out there online.

We hope to see everyone at next year’s event! You can find more photos from 2025 online now.