Winners of the 2025 Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards announced
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the New Zealand Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards 2025.
The awards recognise the individuals, businesses, iwi organisations, and not-for-profits who are using innovation and imagination to drive the seafood sector forward to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Fishers, marine farmers, community groups and researchers from around the country are amongst those who were recognised for their contributions.
The winners of this year's awards were announced at Parliament in Wellington on 11 September 2025 and include the following:
Supreme Sustainability and Innovation Award, sponsored by Seafood New Zealand - Professor Kura Paul- Burke, University of Waikato
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Award - John Young, Clearwater Mussels
Operational Innovator Award, sponsored by Fishserve - Sustainable Pioke Longline Bait Project by Rob Ansley (Ocean Pearl Fisheries), Keith Mawson (Egmont Seafoods), Jerome Chua (Massey University), and Mark Peychers (Fiordland Lobster Company)
Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki Award, sponsored by Te Ohu Kaimoana - Professor Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato
Market Innovator Award, sponsored by Aquaculture New Zealand - Jake Dikstaal and Chase Hann, Leigh Fish
Future Leader Award - Tamar Wells, Seafood New Zealand
Ocean Guardian Award, sponsored by Dragonfly Data Science - Fiordland Marine Guardians
Special Recognition Award - Jim Aitken, Mahurangi Oysters
Read more about each of these awards here.
The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Hon Shane Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Jenny Marcroft MP, MPI Director-General, Ray Smith, and Deputy Director-General Fisheries New Zealand, Dan Bolger, with all the finalists and winners for 2025
“The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards celebrate the many people and organisations who look after the marine environment and ensure the seafood sector continues to grow”