| 29 Russell Fredric Harvesting the treasures of the sea Bluff-based Riverton Fishermen’s Company harvests, processes and packages a wide range of fresh chilled and frozen wet fish. Southland: Riverton Fishermans Company REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT At McCulloch + Partners we are a local business run by local people. We pride ourselves on being friendly, accessible and experienced accounting specialists no matter the industry you’re in. p: 03 218 6179 e: james.harvey@mcp.co.nz w: www.mcp.co.nz James Harvey Partner Proud to support Riverton Fishermans Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Contact us to take advantage of our modern approach to accounting and business expertise Southfish Limited., Processors and Exporters of Quality New Zealand Seafood Southfish Ltd markets and exports a wide product range of deep sea fish, inshore fish and freshwater eels to wholesale markets in North America, Australia, Japan, China, South East Asia, and Europe as well as the New Zealand domestic market. Southfish quality seafood products include fresh chilled and frozen fish, as well as live, fresh, smoked and frozen eel products. 03 212 8726 / Fax 03 212 8267 PO Box 143, Bluff www.southfish.co.nz Some of New Zealand’s greatest culinary treasures lie in the pure, frigid waters that embrace the coastline of southern New Zealand. For some, the ocean and its many moods can be intimidating and unforgiving, but for Riverton Fishermen’s Company (RFC) and its shareholder fishermen it is the lifeblood of their business. Manager Chris Squires says the Bluff-based business spawned out of Riverton Fishermen’s Coop in the early 1970’s; it harvests, processes and packages a wide range of fresh chilled and frozen wet fish including shark, blue cod and trawl fish such as gurnard, monkfish, tarakihi, and flat fish. The company catches and markets 130 tonnes of lobster annually from the quota area of the Southern South Island and Fiordland known as CRA8. This is all graded then held in tanks for five to seven days before being packed by the Fiordland Lobster Company. Riverton Fishermen’s Company chairman James Harvey and his team at McCulloch & Partners market the lobster for live export to China. During the last two years the company has successfully navigated through the covid restrictions which included a complete shutdown of the lobster export market in January 2020 “which is a memory all stakeholders will never forget,” Chris says. “The company’s key strength is its strong relationships with long standing stakeholders including buyers in China and their Logistic Company GVI which was a key player ensuring that overseas air freight continued past January 2020 onwards.” RFC are a finalist in the DHL Export Southland 2022 Recognition Awards for sustainable and outstanding performance results and engagement in exports and in New Zealand. In addition to its export arm, the company also operates as a conveniently located supplier in Bluff port of marine products and equipment as well as selling fresh fish direct to the public. One of the wet fish species is an enduring favourite, both wrapped in paper with chips and as restaurant and cafe fare. “Everyone loves blue cod down in Southland and most of the South Island,” Chris says. RFC’s school shark is all exported to Melbourne. “They love their shark and taties,” Chris quips. Quality fresh fish is in huge demand across the board with regular shipments to Australia Sustainability is crucial to the future of the company and to the livelihood of the fishermen who have necessarily faced significant quota reductions over the years. “They’ve got a lot of money tied up in the boats, Gear and quota and they want to see a sustainable fishery so their children and grandchildren can go fishing so looking after the fisheries is all important to them.” Quota cutbacks over the years combined with other measures have had a noticeable positive effect on the fishery. “The crayfish fishery now is very healthy and the blue cod and the shark are starting to improve as well. The idea is to keep it that way so it’s nice and easy to cut down on the cost of fuel and bait. If the catch per pot is high, you use less bait and diesel and fish less days so less wear and tear.”
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