Read about our 2024 Seafood Stars Award winners.

About Seafood Stars Awards

Since 2016 we have been recognising stand-out people in Aotearoa New Zealand's seafood industry at the annual Seafood New Zealand Conference. This year we have five award categories, including two new categories - the ACC Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Award and the WISA Champions of Women in Seafood award.

2024 Award categories:

1. Future Adaptation Award
This award is presented to the entity or individual that has adapted their fishing or processing practices to: 

• Reduce adverse impacts on the environment that lead to a lower carbon footprint, 
• Reduce waste,  
• Reduce adverse impacts on the marine environment, or 
• Reduce adverse impacts on protected species 

2. Young Achiever Award
This award is presented to a person, 35 years of age or under, who has demonstrated that he or she has made a positive difference to the seafood industry, and has the potential to continue to develop as an effective and respected seafood industry leader or role model. 

3. Life Membership Award (maximum of two awarded per year)
This award is presented to a person who: 

• Has worked in the seafood industry for a minimum of 15 years, and  
• Has made a substantial positive impact on the seafood industry, and  
• Has been a highly effective and respected seafood industry member. 

4. ACC Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Award  

This award recognises businesses or individuals whose innovative leadership and approach to a safe and supportive workplace has contributed to improved health, safety, and wellbeing outcomes. It is awarded to a business or individual that has:  

• Implemented health, safety, and wellbeing innovations to keep people safe and enhance their wellbeing, or  
• Embedded a culture of supporting injured staff with their rehabilitation and recovery through return to work plans, or
• Implemented a training initiative to improve awareness of workplace hazards.  

5.  WISA Champions of Women in Seafood award
This award is presented to a person who: 

• Has made a positive difference or impact on the seafood industry, or 
• Champions diversity in our workforce through dedication, leadership, collaboration or visibility, and 
• Is respected by industry colleagues