Media Centre

Contact Details

Alison Sykora - Communications Manager
+64 21 901 446
als@nullsealord.co.nz

Largest Southern Blue Whiting exporter welcomes sustainability thumbs up

3 May 2012

Opportunities will increase for the country’s largest exporter of Southern Blue Whiting following endorsement from a leading global fishing sustainability programme.

Sealord, the largest quota holder of Southern Blue Whiting, is delighted the fishery has been certified against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standards.

Sealord CEO, Graham Stuart says MSC recognition the Southern Blue Whiting fishery is sustainable is an additional assurance for customers.

More about MSC certified sustainable Southern Blue Whiting

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New Directors strengthen Sealord Board

3 May 2012

Global food industry, Maori enterprise and extensive governance experience will be brought to the Sealord Group board table by its two new directors.

From June, Wally Stone and Bob Major will serve on the board chaired by Matanuku Mahuika and have been appointed by Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL) which holds a 50% interest in Sealord on behalf of all Maori. Keith Sutton has also been reappointed to the board, having served as an alternate for the last three years.

More about Sealord's new Directors

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First ISSF tuna sustainability measure in place

16 January 2012

The global tuna sustainability programme of which Sealord is a participating member has announced the implementation of its first measure.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) ban on the transhipment (offloading) of tuna from purse seine catching vessels to other vessels at sea is now in place. This will improve data gathering and traceability to make sure tuna caught is all reported, regulated and legal.

This is the first of 15 Commitments that ISSF members are undertaking to ensure tuna remains sustainable.

More on the Tuna Sustainability Commitments

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Sealord profit up 13%

21 December 2011

Annual results of Sealord Group Limited holding company Kura show a 13% increase in net profits after tax to $20.6 million; seasonally adjusted debt levels down by $15 million and a dividend of $16 million paid to owners.

Revenue for the reporting period was $573.5 million up from $530.8 million for the previous year.

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New jobs as Sealord adds vessel to its New Zealand fleet

5 December 2011

Up to 72 new jobs will be created in Nelson following Sealord’s purchase of the Independent 1 fishing vessel.

“Sealord has chartered Independent 1 for the past three years after its return from the Arabian Gulf and we are pleased to be able to increase our capacity and create new jobs by buying the vessel,” said GM New Zealand Fish, Doug Paulin.

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Sealord Scholarships awarded to celebrate 50 years

29 November 2011

To mark 50 years since the company was first registered, Sealord has announced a scholarship programme to help employees’ children.

The inaugural Sealord Scholarship has been awarded to Nelson’s Kurt Allen and Jonathan de Smit of Lincolnshire England. Each will receive NZ$5,000 per year to complete their tertiary studies.

"The Sealord Scholarship is a small but powerful way we can help some young people to prepare for successful careers. It’s a useful contribution given rates of youth unemployment,” says Sealord CEO Graham Stuart.

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Sealord joins global alliance to ensure tuna sustainability

22 November 2011

Sealord has become the first New Zealand company to partner with a global alliance of scientists, leading conservationists and industry to ensure global tuna fisheries are sustainable and protect them for the future.

Sealord has signed up to the targets of the ISSF programmes* which include:

- Eliminating half the discarded bycatch from purse seine fisheries by 2014

- All skippers trained in bycatch reduction, monitoring and data reporting by Jan 2013

- 100% observer coverage on vessels by Jan 2013

- Eliminate transhipments at sea by Jan 2012

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Leading growth through premium exports

11 November 2011

Sealord’s newly appointed Chairman of the Board, Matanuku Mahuika, believes the business is poised for growth and uniquely positioned to win in the global export market.

“My vision for Sealord is to continue growing our premium exports. Sealord has a finite and precious resource, our challenge is to work with discerning partners around the world who recognise the value of sustainable seafood,” he says.

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Sealord raises the bar on foreign charter vessels

27 October 2011

New Zealand’s leading fishing company Sealord has today announced a new policy on the management of its foreign charter vessels (FCVs).

From 1 November 2011, all FCVs chartered by Sealord will have at least one New Zealand-based Sealord employee on board for the duration of voyages. These people will monitor labour and fishing standards and ensure they not only comply with New Zealand law but also continue to maintain the higher Sealord standards.

Sealord standards are the highest in the industry, with health and safety, labour conditions and fishing practices for all FCVs required to be the same as those on its New Zealand vessels.

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Sealord welcomes sustainable fishing announcement

26 September 2011

Today’s announcement by the Minister of Fisheries setting new fisheries quota has been welcomed by one of the country’s largest quota holders.

Sealord has access to around 19% of the total commercial fishing quota (around 119,000 green weight tonnes) and 30% of Hoki quota. In 2010 Hoki was New Zealand’s second most valuable seafood export, earning the country $172 million.

Read More

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Rivalry off the rugby field - Kiwis beat Aussie in taste bud battle

22 September 2011

Beating Australia is a national obsession that goes beyond the rugby field and proud Kiwis will be delighted to hear we’re doing it on the plate too.

Sealord fish fingers have won the taste bud battle on Australian television – beating competitors made in Australia and China.

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Sealord asks Greenpeace to stop misleading the public

30 August 2011

Sealord has written to Greenpeace asking the activists to remove misleading information that illegally uses Sealord trademarks.

In an open letter from lawyers Russell McVeagh, Greenpeace has been asked to remove any materials with Sealord trademarks and materials containing defamatory tatements.

Read Letter

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Sealord warns public not to be deceived by extreme activists

29 August 2011

Sealord’s message to the public following illegal Greenpeace activity is not to be deceived by another example of misleading, extreme activism.

“Sealord tuna is sustainable. Bycatch is very low: 0.16% of catch is sharks and non-tuna species make up 1 – 2%,” says General Manager, New Zealand Marketing David Welsh.

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Fishing vessel successfully towed to Macquarie Island

26 July 2011

The 21 crew and the fishing vessel Janas have reached a sheltered area of Macquarie Island ahead of bad weather. Janas requested a tow to the island as a precautionary safety measure after an engineering breakdown.

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Sealord part of European sustainable seafood drive

24 July 2011

Sealord will supply around 4% of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fish served in McDonald's restaurants across Europe in a campaign set to maximise awareness and access to sustainable fish.

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Hoki sustainability prompts Sealord to increase capacity

17 June 2011

Positive news about the increased Hoki quota has lead to Sealord investment in a larger vessel. Ocean Dawn has 10% more capacity. New Zealand seafood is globally recognised as being sustainable and Hoki fisheries are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. Hoki is an excellent choice for environmentally responsible consumers.

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Uncovering Tasman Sea Secrets

16 June 2011

Sealord vessels Rehua, Janas and Antarctic Chieftain have been part of the most detailed survey of the biodiversity in the Tasman Sea to date. Models estimated about 10 million tonnes of living creatures but the data shows it could be ten times or more than this. Sealord contributes to research to help ensure fishing sustainability.

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17,000 Kiwi kids learning to swim

30 May 2011

More than 17,000 Kiwi kids are learning to swim to survive thanks to a recently launched initiative to reach up to half a million children over three years. Sealord Swim For Life is a partnership between Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) and the country’s best known seafood company. Sealord is investing in the community to help address terrible drowning statistics.

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Sealord launches new corporate identity at Maori Fisheries Conference

23 May 2011

Sealord’s new corporate logo saw its first public outing at the annual Maori Fisheries Conference in Nelson. “Sealord’s new corporate identity reflects our values and our responsibility to the ocean that is so integral to our success,” said CEO Graham Stuart.

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$13.5 million investment in local fish processing

21 April 2011

A further $2.5 million investment will bring state of the art packaging technology to Sealord’s Nelson seafood plant. This brings the company’s investment in upgrading this local processing facility to $13.5 million over the past two years. New conveyor and packaging equipment will further improve product quality, working conditions and efficiency.

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Antarctic Chieftain leaves on biodiversity mapping research project

20 April 2011

Sealord’s Antarctic Chieftain leaves Nelson to participate in a major research study to understand marine biodiversity in the Tasman Sea. Working in conjunction with the CSIRO the vessel travels from Nelson to Hobart and maps the ocean using an echosounder. Sealord is committed to research to help ensure fishing sustainability.

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Nelson kids get free swimming lessons

23 December 2010

Sealord Nelson workers received an extra Christmas present with the news that each will be able to offer free swimming lessons to a local child. As part of its recently announced sponsorship of the Sealord Swim For Life initiative, Sealord has asked each of its staff to nominate a child who will receive 10 free swimming lessons.

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90% of Sealord workers ratify employment agreement

8 December 2010

Sealord Group has announced the ratification of a multi-year collective employment agreement at the Sealord Vickerman St site in Nelson. More than 90% of staff voted in favour of the proposed collective agreement.

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