Nearly 50 people came together in Tauranga, New Zealand for two days in September to discuss seabird by-catch in the inshore fisheries.  Fishermen, industry representatives, scientists, NGO representatives, eco-tour operators and policymakers learned from one another while also tackling a number of challenging issues regarding seabird by-catch.  Kiwis, Australians, and Gabriel Tomas, a fisherman from Uruguay, all took time to listen, share and learn.

The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Fisheries, Sanford Limited Sustainable Seafood, WWF-New Zealand, Moana Pacific Fisheries, New Zealand Seafood Industry Council, Leigh Fisheries Limited, and the Leigh Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

South East Resources of Timaru won the 2007 Seabird Smart Award.  South East Resources owner, Murray Williamson, accepted the award on 19 September at a dinner hosted by Sanford Ltd during Southern Seabird Solutions Trust’s Inshore Fisheries Workshop.

South East Resources was named winner for its forward-looking work in developing offal mincers and its commitment to ensure mincers were placed on all its trawl vessels.  The international charter company has plans to put a second mincer on each vessel so that its entire fleet can cope with offal produced in all fisheries.

The award was presented by Charles Hufflett, Solander, who won the award in 2005.  In announcing the winner Charles noted the significance of the award going to an international charter company – a reminder that saving seabirds is important for all vessels and crews. 

The Seabird Smart Award was sponsored by Sanford Ltd, Deep Water Group and the Ministry of Fisheries.  Special thanks to Wild Press for providing the trophy. 

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Te Ohu Kaimoana funded a te reo Maori version of the Trust’s series of seabird fact sheets for children.