Seafood New Zealand (SNZ) has recognised nine outstanding individuals and companies across six award categories for their contributions to the industry at its 10th annual Seafood Stars Awards.
Presented at the conclusion of the 2025 Seafood Conference in Nelson by Chief Executive Lisa Futschek, the awards were first established in 2016 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Quota Management System (QMS).
Since then, Seafood Stars have championed excellence and commitment to the industry. The Award categories have continued to evolve over time, with this year's Awards debuting the Telling Our Story Award, honouring an individual, business or organisation in commercial fishing that has helped build public understanding and social licence by proudly sharing their story.
"This year's conference theme was Seafood for Thought, and I can't think of a cohort of winners that better embodies this mindset. We had a record number of nominations, and it was incredibly difficult to narrow down the contenders for this milestone award year," Futschek says.
"The people in the seafood industry are constantly striving to improve, not just in the technology behind how we fish but in the science and innovation that underpins the sector, and in how we approach caring for our people both on and off the water. A lot of thought and caring goes into each and every aspect of bringing this healthy, native protein to peoples' plates here at home and around the world.
"So it is my great pleasure to announce this year's six Awards. Our Future Adaption Award has gone to Massey University Food Technology student Jerome Chua. Chua was instrumental in developing the 'bait sausage' made of crayfish waste that has been undergoing trials to catch rig via surface longline off the coast of New Plymouth. His research has great implications for future commercial use, both in reducing bycatch and reducing waste.
"The ACC Workplace Wellbeing Awardhas gone to Nelson-based Guard Safety, which has spent years tirelessly improving the industry's safety record through its many health and wellbeing initiatives such as MarineSAFE, the NZ Fishing Health and Safety Forum and more.
"Returning from its debut last year is the Women in Seafood Australasia Championing Inclusion Award, which has beenjointly awarded to Caroline Gilbertson and Aine O'Neill. Gilbertson and O'Neill co-founded Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa, which supports women across the aquaculture space to network, celebrate success and achievements, and provides an inclusive space to grow and learn.
"We have two Young Achiever Awards this year, going to Chase Saunders-Loder and Lu Ee Lee. Saunders-Loder is a well-known face among the inshore fleet. Since the age of 18 he has worked his way up from crew member to become a qualified skipper and today owns the FV Resolution II. Whether it's appearing in an episode of Ocean Bounty or filming a video about his career, Chase is always willing to lend a face or voice as an ambassador to how great the fishing industry can be.
"Meanwhile, Lee - though new to the deepwater fishing sector at Sealord - has already introduced multiple game-changing initiatives to the company's wetfish factory. Her combination of technical expertise and people-focused leadership has helped improve the factory's process flow and encouraged others to take on new training and leadership opportunities.
"The inaugural Telling Our Story Award goes to Tom Searle. Searle has worn many hats for the industry over the years, but has always been a staunch advocate for independent owner-operators and small-scale fishers. He's contributed to everything from promotional campaigns with Air New Zealand, Foodstuffs and Cuisine magazine to holding governance roles not only on the Seafood NZ Board, but on various area management councils and on the Leigh Commercial Fishermen's Association. Searle brings a sense of storytelling, integrity and commitment to the industry to each of these roles, making him a perfect first recipient for this Award.
"And finally, we have two deserving winners of our prestigious Life Membership Award -Tā (Sir) Tipene O'Regan and Graeme Sinclair.
"Tā Tipene is a kaumātua of Ngāi Tahu and has a biography of achievements too long to fully recite here. He played a central role in developing and implementing the Māori Fisheries Settlement, which culminated in the historic Sealord Deal in 1992. The founding chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, his leadership has fundamentally transformed and improved the seafood sector in Aotearoa and led to meaningful, ongoing iwi participation in the industry.
"Sinclair is a known and beloved figure in both recreational and commercial fishing, as the host and producer of the popular Gone Fishin' TV series (the longest-running recreational fishing show in New Zealand) and now Ocean Bounty, which is on its seventh season. His dedication and, quite frankly, courage in showing the world what commercial fishing is truly like here in Aotearoa New Zealand has no equal.
"My congratulations go out to all winners and finalists of this year's Awards."
