P R O C E S S I N G www.foodtechnology.co.nz 27 SEAFOOD HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY WINS AWARD Beating a record number of entries HACCP Endorsed Magnet Testing /Validation Specialists and Metal Fragment Control Consultants info@amrconsulting.co www.amrconsulting.co +61 4272 5756 FT083 for a new category, the Primary Growth Partnership company has done away with traditional trawl nets, allowing fish to be contained comfortably underwater inside a large flexible PVC liner. Instead, the fish is sorted for the correct size and species whilst submerged, before being pulled onto the fishing boat. The modular harvesting system allows fishing vessels to target specific inshore species and fish size, increasing the protection of small fish that can swim through ‘escape portals’ and release themselves unharmed. Once on deck, the fish are contained within the liner in perfect condition, meaning they are fresher and more valuable to consumers. The development of the system has taken more than 10 years of research. Launched in 2012, PSH is the result of a six-year PGP partnership involving fishing companies Aotearoa Fisheries, Sanford and Sealord investing $26 million with matching government funding. Together the three fishing companies account for more than 30 per cent of the quota for the top nine species of fish in New Zealand waters. It is one of 21 government and industry PGPs funding long-term innovation to improve the success of the country’s primary industries and meet the government’s target of boosting the sector’s exports to $64 billion by 2025. To date, $727 million of government and industry funding has been committed across the programmes. PSH has already been recognised in a number of award programmes, including a finalist in the global SeaWeb Seafood Champions Awards this year, the Supreme Award and Innovation in Sustainability and Clean-Tech at the 2014 Innovator Awards, and the People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Kiwinet Awards. Precision Seafood Harvesting has clinched the inaugural Maori innovation award at the annual Hi-Tech Awards for its sustainable fishing technology that enables wild fish to be selected and handled in water to lift their value. The development of the system has taken more than 10 years of research.
1-48 FT June16
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