Trawler tie-ups signal crisis point for industry
One fishing company is effectively out of business while others are bracing for large financial hits as the deepwater New Zealand industry, unable to get skilled foreign workers into the country, has begun tying up vessels.
At least three New Zealandflagged big autonomous trawler reefer (BATM) deepwater vessels associated with Canterbury-based Independent Fisheries have been tied up at Lyttleton as it repatriated its Russian and Ukranian crew following the end of their visa periods.
Nelson-based fishing company Sealord is likely to follow suit by October 1 with its Ukrainian and Russian crews of Meridian and Profesor M Aleksandrov heading home after working in New Zealand since November.
Sealord now urgently needed 160 skilled fishers to crew the two vessels.
Independent Fisheries chief executive Mark Allison said his company had been in negotiations with the government since April to allow more crew into New Zealand.
He said there had been ‘‘very little response’’ from government ministers, despite working closely with the Ministry of Immigration, MBIE and MPI to find a solution.
As a result, the company was effectively out of business until it can get crew into New Zealand, Allison said, with the situation costing tens of millions of dollars.
‘‘We also have New Zealanders gainfully employed here on landbased operations that rely on fishing – of course us being now out of business it jeopardises these jobs as we have no form of income to operate.
‘‘We’re desperate for the government to act on it and allow primary industry to operate – at the moment we’re not functional because we’re unable to get appropriate responses out of them.’’
Sealord chief operating officer Doug Paulin was ‘‘greatly
concerned’’ at the potential loss of Kiwi jobs and revenue for the country if border exemptions are not granted for trained overseas fishing crews.
It is understood that the situation could cost the national economy $725 million with 425 land-based jobs also at stake.
‘‘Our business will take a hit well into the millions that will have a flow-on effect to many local and national businesses that support our fishing boats, like catering firms, pharmaceuticals, engineers.’’
Paulin said qualified and experienced fishing crew were in short supply in New Zealand.
‘‘... Kiwis continue to be reluctant to take roles in our deepwater fleet even at the unskilled level, which these foreign crew are not.’’
Sealord had only recently been given approval for enough foreign watch-crew to look after the vessels to avoid environmental and safety risks while they sit idle. Sealord ran extensive recruitment processes and has plans to ramp these up in conjunction with the Government, however did not help the current skill shortage.
‘‘We find it extremely frustrating that people in the film indus
try and rugby players can secure immediate travel exemptions, while the Government refuses to make any decision regarding our applications.’’
An August summit of business leaders called for quarantine capacity to be expanded to allow international students, construction workers and other skilled workers into the country.
Seafood New Zealand has said a private and collaborative solution is needed to address the foreign worker issue.
Nelson MP Nick Smith had sent correspondence, co-signed by affected fishing companies, to Minister of Fishing Stuart Nash, Health Minister Chris Hipkins and Immigration Minister Kris Fa’afoi, requesting an urgent solution to the issue.
He said with Nelson ranked 16th and bottom in the latest ASB regional economic survey, it was vital the government recognised the importance of the fishing industry and provided for the critical worker exemptions.
‘‘I’m quite confident that we can develop a testing and quarantine rule that will keep New Zealand and Nelson Covid-free without the scale of economic damage that will occur if these vessels are tied up to the wharf for months.’’
‘‘Our business will take a hit well into the millions that will have a flow-on effect.’’ Doug Paulin Sealord chief operating officer