Seafood New Zealand's Chief Executive Lisa Futschek reflects on the recent Aquaculture Conference and time spent with a delegation from Singapore.
Last week, along with our Board Chair Greg Gent and General Manager of Seafood Standards and Market Access Cathy Webb, I attended our sister sector's conference - Fast Tracking Aquaculture. The conference, put on by the awesome team at Aquaculture New Zealand, offered a mix of inspiration, innovation and incredible science - reminding me once again that we have so much to learn from each other.
The event unofficially kicked off the evening prior to the conference with a special Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa gathering, where attendees were privileged to hear from the remarkable Dame Sophie Pascoe. Her story of perseverance, achievement and leadership set a really powerful tone for the conference.
Over the two-day conference there was a fantastic array of speakers including Grant Lovell from New Zealand King Salmon, who presented on the Blue Endeavour project and the importance of collaboration. And, of course, it wouldn't have been an Aquaculture New Zealand Conference without one of Grant's legendary boat montages.
The team also really enjoyed a presentation on aquaculture potential from Johan Svenson, Science Leader of Algal Research and Bioactives at the Cawthron Institute. What stood out was how he was able to make incredibly complex scientific data accessible to the lay person (we're not all scientists after all). The ability to communicate the science in a relatable and compelling way is key to telling our seafood stories to a wider audience.
Speaking of science, another session on returning mussel and oyster shells to the ocean floor offered a fascinating glimpse into ecosystem regeneration. It amazes me how much potential there is for our sectors to contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand not just economically, but ecologically. And we all work hard to do just that, because we need our oceans and fisheries to be healthy now and for generations to come.
Leadership and commitment to the sector were also celebrated at the conference. Bruce Hearn, long-standing Chair of Aquaculture New Zealand, stepped down after 12 years of service and was presented with the Lifetime Service to Aquaculture and Industry award by Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones.
Sadly, not all stories from the conference were happy ones. The Mahurangi Oyster situation - a Regional Council continuing to sanction Watercare's lack of action - was a stark reminder of the challenges the sector can face. Seafood New Zealand stands by all those impacted and will support wherever we can.
I would say the overarching vibe of the conference was one of opportunity. Across presentations, the sense of potential for growth in aquaculture was palpable. From science-driven innovations to community engagement, the sector is exploring new ways to expand sustainably, and there is much to be learned from its approach.
I was also reminded that realising opportunities - whether in aquaculture or wild catch - relies on collaboration, shared knowledge and strong science. And increasingly I'm seeing the seafood sector coming together to do just that.
Well done to the Aquaculture New Zealand team on delivering another great event, we're already looking forward to doing it all again in 2026.
While the conference had come to an end, my week had not. I jumped on a plane and headed to Auckland, to attend the launch event of the Singapore - New Zealand Strategic Food Partnership. The partnership positions New Zealand as a reliable supplier of safe, sustainable and high-quality food, as well as a hub for agritech and food innovation.
Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture and Minister for Trade and Investment, hosted Ms Grace Fu, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, to a tasting of NZ specialty foods and delicacies. Seafood was of course on the menu. Minister Fu and her delegation also had the pleasure of visiting Moana New Zealand.
Great to end the week with my first taste of kina!
