Trans-Tasman Support for New Zealand Fisheries Conference

1 April 2003

Backing for Deep Sea 2003, a global conference on deep sea fisheries to be held in Queenstown in December, is flooding in with a number of New Zealand and trans-Tasman sponsors so far confirmed.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA) will be a major sponsor of the conference. The New Zealand companies - the Hoki Management Company, Squid Management Company and the Orange Roughy Management Company, along with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Austral Fisheries Pty from Australia will be supporting sponsors.

The event, to be held from 1-5 December, will provide a forum for international experts to discuss the issues relating to the present and future needs for science, conservation, governance, and management of the continental slope and deep seas around the globe.

Chief Scientist at the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries and Conference Convenor John Annala is delighted with the interest shown.

"These trans-Tasman sponsors have seized the opportunity to support the conference and demonstrate their commitment to the future of the world's deep seas. We hope other potential sponsors recognise the unique opportunity this conference offers."

NIWA, or the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited, is one of nine New Zealand Crown Research Institutes, whose mission is to provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management and development of New Zealand's atmospheric, marine and freshwater systems.

CSIRO is one of the world's largest and most diverse scientific global research organisations, employing 6,500 staff, and focusing on everything from agribusiness to health.

AFMA was established in 1992 as a statutory authority to oversee the management of more than 20 offshore Commonwealth fisheries within Australia's nearly 9 million square kilometre fishing zone.

The New Zealand fishing companies represent the interests of quota holders in the hoki, squid and orange roughy fisheries, and seeks to promote responsible fishing of New Zealand deep-water fisheries. Austral Fisheries is a large Australian fishing company involved in deep sea fishing operations and has a specific interest in promoting responsible fishing and environmental development.

A number of other sponsors are interested in Deep Sea 2003 and are expected to confirm support soon.

The Ministry of Fisheries New Zealand, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, with the technical co-operation of the FAO, are the founding sponsors of the event.

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