October 29, 2014
Sealord gets access to iwi quota
Fishing giant Sealord has signed quota agreements with several iwi collectives which it says will boost financial returns for all parties.
The company, which is jointly owned by pan-Maori Aotearoa Fisheries and Japan’s Nissui, gets to use the iwi annual catch entitlements for the next five years for deepwater species including hoki, orange roughy, southern blue whiting and alfonsino.
That gives it more security of supply and allowing better planning.
The iwi get a share of profits obtained from catching, processing and selling the fish.
The deals are with the Top of the South Collective including Ngati Koata, Ngati Tama and Te Atiawa Iwi,
– the Te Atiawa Taranaki Collective are 10 iwi from Taranaki to the Kapiti Coast,
– and Te Kupenga o Maniapoto and four associated iwi.
Sealord Fishing general manager Doug Paulin says it comes under Sealord’s Ihu to Mai programme which aims to increase the long term access to quota for Sealord and provide iwi more direct influence in the way fishing assets are used.
The deals also includes opportunities for Iwi members to receive fishing scholarships and work experience opportunities.
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