Seafood industry proving a star export performer

By IRENE CHAPPLE

The fishing industry received a glowing report card last night on the release of its first economic review for five years.

The NZ Seafood Industry Economic Review shows export sales have increased by about 8 per cent annually over the past three years.

The review said seafood is New Zealand's fourth-biggest exported product sector, behind dairy, meat and timber, and earns $1.4 billion a year. The industry creates 26,000 full-time jobs around the country.

The Seafood Industry Council's's trade and information manager Alastair Macfarlane said companies had invested heavily in equipment, marketing and staff training.

"Training has now reached the point where the seafood sector boasts industry training levels three times the national average."

It has enabled companies to combat the cooling global economy, and the market is well positioned to continue to grow, he said.

Star players are aquaculture, particularly the mussel industry. Export sales of Greenshell Mussels almost doubled from 1997 to last year.

Mr Macfarlane said mussel production was forecast to expand by a further 50 per cent over the next five years.

Compliance with sustainability standards is also showing dividends.