Precision Seafood Harvesting is Supreme Innovator

Commercial fishing partnership Precision Seafood Harvesting has been crowned New Zealand’s most innovative organisation at the New Zealand Innovators Awards 2014. Held at Auckland’s Shed 10 on Wednesday October 15, over 600 people attend the awards ceremony and cocktail function.

New Zealand Innovation Council CEO and Awards convener Louise Webster says “the awards bring together incredible innovators, entrepreneurs, designers and investors from all industries across New Zealand to collaborate and celebrate innovative products, and business ventures.” Entries have increased a staggering 60% on last year – which indicates innovation is alive and well in New Zealand.

Supreme New Zealand Innovator – Precision Seafood Harvesting – has developed a new way of harvesting fish using a trawling system that sees fish contained and swimming in a large flexible PVC liner. Holes in the liner allow small fish to escape and once on deck, any non-target fish can be returned to the sea alive and unharmed.

Fishing companies Aotearoa Fisheries, Sanford and Sealord have invested $26 million into the project under a Primary Growth Partnership with the Ministry of Primary Industries. Scientists from Plant & Food Research have undergone nearly 10 years of research into the project and are currently trialing the new harvesting technology on commercial fishing vessels.

New Zealand Innovators Awards evaluators noted how Precision Seafood Harvesting’s entry was “a fantastic example of innovation through collaboration to create something that delivers value through a multi-pronged approach. The result is better quality fish, more environmentally sound fishing practices and a boost to New Zealand's innovative and sustainability credentials.”

The Supreme Innovator award was presented by Bayer ANZ chairperson and MD Jacqueline Applegate, who says she is delighted to see such a collaborative effort win. “As foundation sponsor of these Awards, Bayer has a deep understanding of innovation and more importantly how to commercialise innovation. All the people behind Precision Seafood Harvesting are deserving winners and I congratulate you all.”

Many other category winners were announced on the night and reflected the depth and talent of New Zealand’s innovators. They included Scott Technology Ltd for its automated lamb boning room; Rocket Lab Ltd with its electron launch vehicle; Enztec’s surgical instruments for conducting knee surgery; and Fonterra for its Noble reduced fat cheddar.

The full list of winners is:

Innovation in Agriculture & Environment