Nelson’s Seafood Saturday surfed waves of enthusiasm on 25 March in a public celebration of the region’s deep connection to the seafood sector and blue economy.

We only had to mention ‘kaimoana’ and ‘tasting plates’ for tickets to rapidly sell out for the seafood and wine experience as part of Seafood Saturday. Finally we can reveal the types of kaimoana our Nelson chefs have been matched with and what they will create.

Interest in the inaugural Seafood Saturday event being held in Nelson on 25th March is prompting organisers to look at holding one in Nelson every year, as well as taking it to other fishing regions.

As part of its Fishing for Life ethos, Talley’s harnesses the power of technology and the passion of its people to provide New Zealand with fresh, healthy, and sustainable seafood.

If you’re a small or medium fishing operation, when it comes to navigating the rapid developments in the industry, you need someone looking after your back. For many, that person has been President of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen Doug Saunders-Loder.

Seafood has long been a part of the culture at Neudorf. From the early days of Tim and Judy Finn arriving in Nelson and planting Neudorf on the smell of an oily rag, being able to catch your own dinner was helpful.

If you’re a lawyer at Oceanlaw New Zealand, don’t expect to spend every day behind your desk. Based in Nelson, the country’s biggest fishing port, the specialist legal service covers the vast expanse of maritime law, helping clients the length and breadth of the country.

Nelson’s terroir – the Waimea Plains, Moutere Hills and Kina Peninsula – have always been part of the Kahurangi Estate story. So it just makes sense that grapes grown with the essence of the ocean would pair well with seafood.

FirstMate New Zealand is a charity set up to support the health and wellbeing of hardworking people across the commercial seafood sector and their whānau. Work in commercial fishing is physically demanding and brings some very specific sources of stress too. That is why FirstMate has developed industry-specific information and guidance on ways to help manage stress and get back on an even keel. Support is only a phone call away.

As New Zealand’s oldest fishing company, the story of Sanford is woven into Kiwi history. It all began with one man, Albert Sanford, starting his fishing operation in Auckland in 1864. He became known for his smoked snapper, setting up a popular fish market in central Auckland, just down the road from where our Sanford and Sons seafood store is today.

Donna Wells’ hard work, tenacity and networking has all paid off, and today her Nelson-based company, FinestKind Limited, is highly regarded in the industry.

Guytons is a well-known name in Nelson Tasman, supplying fresh, sustainable fish and seafood caught daily by Talley’s throughout New Zealand.

You might see their vans regularly across the Te Tauihu (the top of the South Island), but it is the innovation and engineering inside FPS’ Port Nelson workshop that is the driving force behind many of our industries across New Zealand, including the seafood industry.

The seafood industry is a major player in our region, making a huge contribution to our local culture, economy, and society. It is an industry with many varied and rewarding careers and, here at Intepeople, we feel lucky to partner with local aquaculture businesses to help them put the best people into their organisations.

The Publik Agency team is proud to be right behind the inaugural Seafood Saturday event, providing our creatives, PR strategists and storytellers to shine a well-deserved light on the seafood sector. Not only is Nelson our hometown, we treasure our commercial fishing and seafood clients from across New Zealand.

It can be quite a task to meet consumers’ demand for healthy, high-quality seafood options – frozen, ready-to-eat or snack-sized. This is where Danny Sheridan comes to the fore. As Sealord’s Innovation Manager, Danny leads a small team of ‘innovation superstars’ who do everything from developing new products for retail, export or food service to leading changes in factory processes.

Kat wanted to be a truck driver from age 12, when she was inspired by a ride on a stock truck from her family’s beef and sheep farm. She succeeded with her career choice, driving heavy goods vehicles with trailers for some of New Zealand’s carriers. After years of long-haul driving however, sleeping in a comfy bed at home rather than in her cab became increasingly appealing.

Jesse Crasborn is the skipper (captain) of Sealord’s factory trawler, Rehua. He is also at the helm of an award-winning sustainable fishing practice. In 2022, Crasborn and his crew won the Innovation Champions Award at the Seabird Smart Awards in recognition of their commitment to seabird protection.

From working with Hollywood studios to mentoring the fishermen of today, Richard and Jean Kibblewhite have contributed positively to the industry for decades. “It's a great industry”, Richard Kibblewhite says, sitting at the cabin table and looking out of the window of his vessel stationed in Picton Harbour.

AgriSea CEO Clare and Chief Innovation Officer Tane (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui) Bradley’s focus has always been on protecting the underwater forest of Aotearoa, but their days are often spent in the laboratory and the boardroom.