This week in The Update, we're proud to shine the light on some impactful new videos from the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen (Feds). Over the past year, Feds President Doug Saunders-Loder has spearheaded the development of nine animated videos to help give Kiwis a new and true look at bottom trawling in our waters.
In the Winter issue of Seafood New Zealand magazine (available online now, with print copies landing next week), Doug sat down with us to discuss the vision behind the video projects. Below, we share a snapshot of that conversation.
Using innovative 3D modelling, the videos give viewers a look beneath the surface, at industry's ever-evolving trawl net technology and inshore trawl footprint.
The first video is a "drain the seas" style heatmap, using Ministry for Primary Industries data to illustrate the real footprint of inshore bottom trawling within New Zealand's 12 nautical mile limit. Focused on the South Island, it shows just how small and concentrated that footprint really is - a far cry from the dramatic claims of widespread devastation. And, if you're wondering, there have already been discussions about doing a North Island version.
The second video provides an immersive 3D breakdown of a trawl net, showing its anatomy, how it actually behaves underwater, and the latest innovations being adopted by our fishers. With both extended and social media-friendly versions, these videos are primed for sharing online.
Doug makes no secret of his motivation: "I have long been frustrated with the continuous scaremongering that is so incorrectly and emotively dismissive of bottom trawling in New Zealand. I wanted to create something that served to educate the public by accurately and factually providing evidence and a visual representation about what we actually do."
And that's exactly what this series delivers: a chance for Kiwis to look beyond the headlines and see the practices and technologies behind the seafood on their plates.
"But it also needs to be realised that this is just the start," Doug says. "These are industry resources, and everyone is welcome to share them wherever they see fit - the wider the spread, the better."
"We need to keep developing resources and to be telling our story properly, allowing people to consider the facts and truth, not the constant negative and purposely created rhetoric they are used to."
His message is clear: "There are fishermen out in there in all elements…the dark, cold, wet windy and wavy elements, and they do that to provide our favourite fish and chips every Friday night."
Doug knows there's a way to go, but importantly he wants people to understand what bottom trawling in the New Zealand context, given 70% of our domestic catch happens through trawling sustainable fish stocks.
"There are some wonderful stories to be told, and the New Zealand public should be able to stand proud, hand on heart and say, 'We've got a great bunch of people in this country catching fish for us! Long may it continue.'"
Telling our story is an industry responsibility. Providing the public with the comfort they seek and bringing them along on the journey.
