2010 Seabird Safe Award
Congratulations to the winner and finalists of the 2010 Seabird Safe Award!
A Nelson-based deepsea trawler that consistently embraced and supported trials to find new ways to reduce the number of seabirds injured or killed by fishing vessels won the 2010 Seabird Safe Award.
The prestigious conservation award was presented at Parliament on 19 August by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Phil Heatley to the Sealord deepsea trawler F.V. Thomas Harrison. The Skipper Ted Goomes and Mate John Saxon accepted the award on behalf of all the fishing crew who have worked on the vessel over the past three years.
The independent judging panel for this year's nominations said the skippers and fishing crew of the Sealord-owned F.V. Thomas Harrison have shown 'particular and consistent leadership and perseverance'.
Trials included holding and discharging offal in batches at different intervals, and pumping minced offal onto the sea surface. Carrying out the trials involved fitting equipment onto the vessel during port calls, interrupting normal factory and processing procedures while fishing, and carrying cameras and Ministry of Fisheries observers to record seabird responses to the different treatments.
 John Saxon and Ted Goomes accept Seabird Safe Award from Minister Heatley and the Trust's Chair Bill Mansfield on behalf of the F.V. Thomas Harrison - Photo credit: Lance Lawson Photography |
2010 Finalists
Two 2010 Seabird Safe Award finalists were also announced – John Cleal of F.V. Management Services Ltd, and Leigh Commercial Fishermen’s Association.
Also based in Nelson, John Cleal is the DeepWater Group Seabird Liaison Officer. He travels the country’s ports training deepwater trawler crews and managers on how they can reduce seabird captures. John is a firm believer in 'if it can be fixed then fix it'. His background in fleet management means he is highly respected by fishers and know how to communicate with crew to get positive results.
The second finalist, Leigh Commercial Fishermen’s Association, has been proactive over many years in its efforts to address seabird bycatch. They have pioneered seabird safe fishing practices for the inshore longline fleet, and in 1992 incorporated these into a Code of Practice. The Leigh fleet has demonstrated inventiveness and has been behind several ingenious ideas. For example, setting baits underwater away from seabirds, and dripping fish oil behind a vessel to keep seabirds away. They have played an important role in bringing about a positive change in culture among Kiwi fishermen regarding seabirds. Dave Moore and Geordie Murman from LCFA take a look at some footage of a recent mitigation device trial with Minister Heatley and Trust Convenor Janice Molloy. Photo Credit - Lance Lawson Photography |
 Minister Heatley and John Cleal - Photo Credit Lance Lawson Photography |
Previous winners
Past winners of the Seabird Safe Award are Charles Hufflett of Solander Fisheries, Nelson (2005) and Murray Williamson of South East Resources Ltd, Timaru (2007).
Solander Fisheries was one of the first companies in New Zealand to begin systematically collecting and reporting seabird bycatch. Towing tori lines was standard for this company long before it became mandatory.
South East Resources Ltd won for their forward-looking work in developing offal mincers, and their commitment to ensure mincers were placed on all their trawl vessels. Murray says it was an honour for his international charter company to win the Seabird Safe Award.