2024 Seabird Smart Award winners!

We’re excited to announce Greg Summerton has received our Supreme Seabird Smart Award for developing a fishing method that eliminates seabirds captures.

Her Excellency the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro hosted the award ceremony at Government House in Auckland, and celebrity chef Al Brown took part in the ceremony and served up a dish with Greg’s fish product. The Trust’s Patron King Charles III sent his warmest congratulations to the winners.

Greg’s company Okains Bay Seafood targets ling, a deep-sea fish usually caught using either longlines or trawl nets. Greg has spent four years developing a different fishing method involving pots. Government observers have confirmed the risk of seabirds becoming caught in the pots is zero. Seven New Zealand boats—five longliners and two trawlers—have since made the change to potting. And the great news for our seabirds is this potting method could suit other fisheries targeting similar fish species, worldwide. Congratulations Greg!

Other award recipients are Whitianga Charter Skipper, John Ellwood who took the Advocacy Award for spreading seabird-smart fishing practices amongst recreational fishers, and Seafood New Zealand’s Rosa Edward who received the Leadership Award for her work encouraging and supporting commercial fishers to be seabird-smart.

Thanks to our incredible sponsors of the Seabird Smart Awards.