Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, New Zealand’s largest iwi-owned fisheries company, is updating its trawler fleet to improve productivity and minimise environmental impact.
Nelson-based boat builder, Aimex, is building the six new state-of-the-art trawlers, which will cost a total of between NZ$25-30m.
“The design is specifically suited to our challenging New Zealand fishing conditions, and it enables the use of cutting-edge sustainable technologies like Precision Seafood Harvesting which targets specific species,” said Craig Boote, CEO, Westfleet, which oversaw the OceanTech’s design of the vessels.
“The new vessels will be more fuel efficient, require less maintenance and because of their design are less susceptible to changeable weather conditions,” he added.
The programme delivers a much-needed boost to New Zealand’s aging inshore fishing fleet, the average vessel age of which is estimated to be over 40 years.
It will also provide support to the New Zealand inshore fishing industry, which contributes significantly to the New Zealand economy.
Aotearoa Fisheries does not own any of its fleet, instead contracting fishers to catch its quota, and is working in partnership with Tauranga-based fishing company RMD on the first new boat.
“We appreciate that a new fishing vessel is a significant financial commitment and one that is out of reach for the majority of smaller fishing operators,” explained Carl Carrington, CEO, Aotearoa Fisheries.
“A lot of the fishers that contract us are small, family owned and operated businesses. We’re committed to backing the New Zealand inshore fisheries sector and leading the way on this national issue,” he concluded.
The first trawler is due for completion in mid-2016 and other vessels in the seine and longline sector will follow.
