From the privileged position of being an essential industry, it is only right that we do what we can for others – and there are many examples.
Sanford is a regular donor of fish for rescued yellow-eyed penguins and Sealord’s gift of one tonne of southern blue whiting to feed the hungry hoiho in the past few weeks in the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital was also received gratefully.
Moana New Zealand stepped in to help out LegaSea in its Kai-ika project with Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae where they supply fish to families in South and West Auckland. With recreational take prohibited and fish retailers unable to open, the supply of fish dried up just as unemployment was increasing. With some finding it increasingly difficult to feed their families seafood, Moana stepped in and began supplying Kai-ika with large numbers of fish frames.
Moana is also helping out with customary take in the far north by putting their vessel Santy Maria onto the task.
Ngati Kahungunu through Takitimu Seafoods in Hawke’s Bay is supplying fresh fish packages to kaumatua and vulnerable families.
King Salmon donated fish to 500 essential workers at Nelson Hospital, Wairau Hospital in Blenheim, St John Ambulance staff in Nelson and Blenheim and to workers at Nelson Tasman Hospice.
And Talley’s fisheries in Nelson has donated 5,680 kilograms of frozen goods to community-based food programmes over the past few weeks. This is on top of their regular sponsorships, which include the rescue helicopter and the coast guard.
We know that the industry is a community-minded collection of good people and we also know a lot of similar deeds happen under the radar – even when the country is not in crisis.
We appreciate that communities around New Zealand rely on the economic and employment opportunities that the seafood industry offers but, equally, we are grateful for your support.
Giving back is only fair.