Ministry of Fisheries moves house in Dunedin

26 January 2010

The Ministry of Fisheries has moved its Dunedin office from Filleul Street in the central city to Otaki Street in Anderson’s Bay.

The new facility comprises a single floor with close to 1,000 square metres of office, warehousing and evidence examination space to house staff servicing the Otago region.

“The move to purpose-built premises will enable Fisheries Management and Field Operations staff to operate more effectively from a single location,” said Murray Pridham, Ministry of Fisheries Field Operations Manager. “Previously we leased laboratory and storage space at separate locations. The move brings all our Dunedin-based staff together in one building and allows us to work in a more integrated way.”

The new premises include secure storage for boats, vehicles and equipment, and a laboratory for the examination of evidence such as fish, packaging and trace elements. The Ministry is considering an official opening for the premises in the next couple of months.

“The move brings our Dunedin premises up to the standard of others around the country,” said Murray Pridham. “The site is well located and we are able to save about $10,000 a year in electricity costs due to the modern fittings that have been used in the building.

“This move comes at a time when we are entering the implementation phase of the Fisheries 2030 goal and plan of action,” Mr Pridham concluded. “New premises that facilitate teamwork will allow us to deliver services in the Otago region more effectively and efficiently, including optimising the level of voluntary compliance with fisheries laws and standards and maintaining an effective deterrence against illegal activity.

“We are also promoting the concept of 4 million guardians of our fisheries as part of our summer awareness campaign, Every Fish Counts, and our Field Operations staff in Dunedin and elsewhere are at the forefront of this.

“We rely on the public to play their part in looking after our fishstocks for future generations. If anyone sees illegal fishing or anything suspicious please call us on freephone 0800 4 POACHER and tell us about it.”