Aotearoa Fisheries backs vessel renewal

Aotearoa Fisheries chief Carl Carrington, RMD's Roger Rawlinson and Aimex managing director Steve Sullivan sign the contract for a new hi-tech trawler.

Iwi-owned Aotearoa Fisheries has taken the plunge by backing a $30 million renewal programme for its ageing inshore fishing fleet.

The move to state-of-the-art vessels will be keenly watched by the inshore fishing industry, which has for years suffered from low levels of reinvestment to the point where "J Boat" vessels popular in the 1970s are still widely in use today.

Aotearoa, New Zealand's largest iwi-owned fisheries company, has contracted Nelson-based Aimex to build a 24.5m inshore fishing trawler aimed at improving productivity, minimising the environmental impact of fishing, and enabling operators to go out in rougher weather. The purchases will be made using bank debt by Aotearoa's contractors, with the firm acting as guarantor.

The first of up to six new boats is going to Tauranga-based fishing company RMD, a third-generation family business run by the Rawlinson whanau, who are of Ngati Awa descent.

Aotearoa chief executive Carl Carrington said the company is providing support to existing contracted fishers to buy the new boats. The estimated cost of building up to six new boats is estimated to be $25 million-$30 million.

The new vessel was designed by Australian company OceanTech, under the direction of Westfleet chief executive Craig Boote.

Designed specifically for challenging New Zealand fishing conditions, the new boats will enable the use of Precision Seafood Harvesting technology, which does away with traditional trawl nets to allow fish to be landed alive and in better condition.

The new vessels will be more fuel efficient, require less maintenance and are designed to handle rougher weather.

"This is hugely important for our customers, because it means they can continue to expect a more consistent supply of high quality seafood during adverse weather conditions" Carrington said.

Aimex managing director Steve Sullivan said the contract gave Aimex the opportunity to build capability and would benefit the local economy.

The first trawler is due for completion in mid-2016 and other vessels in the seine and longline sector will follow, Carrington said. All up, Aotearoa is served by 65 vessels in the inshore fishery.

Aotearoa Fisheries will assist individual operators with transitional funding, long-term access to quota, financing and business support.

Aotearoa Fisheries comprises AFL Inshore, AFL Aquaculture and Prepared Foods. In addition, Aotearoa, along with Japan's Nippon Suisan, are 50/50 owners of one of New Zealand's biggest fishing companies, Sealord.