About Aquaculture New Zealand

Chairman's Update

Many of our industry members and partners, as am I, will still be reflecting on the wealth of information shared at the Cawthron New Zealand Aquaculture Conference in Nelson just a few short weeks ago.  I am sure that they will also share with me the feeling that this conference was absolutely our best yet.  Bigger and brighter, more speakers, more delegates and above all a real optimism, shared not only amongst delegates, but also by our Central Government colleagues over the two days and one night we had together.

The positive themes flowed through the entire conference, with the opportunity to hear from national and international speakers from all spheres of interest, as well as some from seemingly unrelated fields. The common thread that arose was whilst we have achieved a great deal, it is still just a foundation.  The real delivery of change, of growth, and of development must come from us.

The $1billion target which formed the title of the conference, ‘Beyond a Billion', is, understandably, most often taken at its narrowest literal sense - and this can be a mistake.  A monetary target is easy to grasp, and it is still extremely valid.  But what is even more important is the incredible amount of work required, work that must be managed carefully to not only ensure that the target is achievable, but also sustainable.

An important component of sustainability is the development of our markets, and the recognition that we must firstly create, and then fulfil, demand within it.  We should listen to our competitors, and learn from them - not to follow blindly but adapt to what we can offer and create our own market space.  The saying goes a wise man will learn from his mistakes, but the wiser man learns from the mistakes of others.

Of course, growth and development is driven by our economic situation at any given time - whether it is a catalyst or hurdle.  As a small country there is little we can do to affect the vagaries of currency, what we can do as a sector though, is be prepared and move where it offers the best return.

To do that, we must be nimble and innovative.  These terms are easily bandied about and I accept that nimble is a relative term that can mean years not minutes.  What they do represent though is the imperative for the sector to be in a position where we are continually looking for opportunities to better our lot on the world stage.

Aquaculture New Zealand, as well as many of our individual members, have been consistently outspoken about the restrictive and crippling regulatory environment that prevented the majority of us breaking out of the commodity cycle.  The good news is that it now appears this is going to change, but we must keep the pressure on and ensure we all make the effort to participate in the public processes that will inevitably precede any legislative change.  We also have a duty, as entrepreneurs and profit-making companies, to ensure that we are very clear in identifying the best way to make a buck, and ensure the pathways are there to do it.

The hurdles we have railed against for many years have been mitigated to a great degree and we are the recipient of assistance in market development and R&D.  Now it is our turn to return the confidence others have in our sector.

2009 has not been an easy year for our industry, with unprecedented global financial challenges, high exchange rates and low sale prices, not much could have been worse.  Fortunately kiwis are bred tough, and aquaculture people even tougher, and as an industry we are still here and still kicking so lets look forward to a more positive and profitable 2010.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a safe, prosperous and very happy summer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Peter V.