Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive announced

Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive announced

The chair of Seafood New Zealand, Eric Barratt, today announced that Tim Pankhurst has been appointed chief executive of Seafood New Zealand effective from April 2013.

Mr Pankhurst is currently the general manager of the Communications and Media Industry Training Organisation (CMITO) and Print NZ, as well as having an advisory editorial role with the Newspaper Publishers' Association (NPA). He was previously chief executive of NPA and is a former daily newspaper editor of The Dominion Post, The Evening Post, Waikato Times and The Press.

Mr Barratt said that Seafood New Zealand was delighted to appoint Mr Pankhurst after a robust recruitment process.

“Tim brings significant advocacy experience to this leadership role representing one of New Zealand’s major primary industries,” says Mr Barratt.

“We look forward to having Tim on board to build on the industry’s position as a leading exporter of sustainable, high quality, New Zealand seafood.”

Mr Barratt said that as global demand for protein continues to grow the seafood industry is focused on generating growth in a sustained and managed way, gaining more value from existing fisheries through innovation and improved practices.

Mr Pankhurst said seafood – paua, rock lobster, shellfish, farmed species like salmon and wild inshore and deepwater species - was a vital sector of the country’s primary production with even greater potential.

“New Zealand’s standard of living depends on what we sell to the world.

“Our seas are rich and we are world leaders in quota management, developing and maintaining sustainable fisheries.

“That reputation is hard won and it needs to be preserved and enhanced.

“Seafood is a growth industry and a good news story and it will be a challenge and a privilege to help project that,” says Mr Pankhurst.

As New Zealand’s fifth largest export earner, the seafood industry contributes over $1.56 billion dollars in export earnings to the economy and employs around 26,000 people.

Seafood New Zealand is the national body representing industry at a national and international level, adding value by promoting New Zealand seafood and its sustainable harvest, building public awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of seafood, as well as delivering science and policy support.

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