The Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH) programme has been named the Supreme New Zealand Innovator for 2014.
The programme won the Supreme Award and the Innovation in Sustainability & Clean-tech award at the 2014 New Zealand Innovators Awards, and was also a finalist in the Innovation Excellence in Research category.
PSH is a revolutionary fishing technology that does away with traditional trawl nets to allow fish to be landed on boats alive and in perfect condition, while safely releasing undersized fish and by catch.
The design of the harvesting system allows fishing vessels to target specific species and fish size and greatly increases protection for small fish that can swim free through ‘escape portals’ and non-target fish (bycatch), which are released unharmed.
The Innovation in Sustainability & Clean-tech award recognises the ability to effectively design products and processes with sustainability as a driving force.
Fishing companies Aotearoa Fisheries, Sanford and Sealord are investing $26 million into the project under a Primary Growth Partnership programme with the Ministry for Primary Industries, which is matching the industry investment dollar for dollar. Scientists at Plant & Food Research are helping to develop and trial the technology on commercial fishing vessels.
Greg Johansson from Sanford, a PSH co-investor, says PSH was up against tough competition at the Awards. “The other finalists were all of a high calibre, and we’re really honoured that the PSH technology and the work of everyone involved in this important partnership to commercialise this technology was recognised by the judges.”
Mr Johansson says the new harvesting technology is just the start. “This will lead on to changes in vessel designs and layouts, the way we handle fish and get it to consumers. It will increase the value of all New Zealand seafood products when the global markets see that we’re taking a big step forward by using this new way of harvesting fish.”
