Survey on recreational fishing supports common sense and fairness, says NZ Seafood Industry Council

Press Release by NZ Seafood Industry Council, 02 April 2007

The New Zealand seafood industry has released the findings of a Colmar Brunton public opinion survey which shows that New Zealanders eat fish regularly, and favour a common sense and fair-minded approach to managing shared fisheries, says Owen Symmans, New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Chief Executive.

"We thought Kiwis would have a long-term view of what's good for sustainable fisheries and it seems they do," Mr Symmans said.

Some of the survey findings include:

• Nearly all (88%) New Zealanders eat fish at least once a month
• Almost half of us (45%) eat fish at least once a week
• Only one quarter of all New Zealanders fished recreationally more than once in the past 12 months
• 25% have never fished recreationally in New Zealand
• 6 out of 10 recreational fishers report that they are satisfied with their catch
• 65% of New Zealanders think that both recreational and commercial fishers should be required to catch less if there is not enough fish to meet demand
• More than half (56%) of the recreational fishers agree
• 85% of New Zealanders think that up to 10 fish per recreational fisher is a reasonable daily allowance and 85% of recreational fishers agree (the current limit is 20 for most finfish)
• 64% of New Zealanders think that it is reasonable to require recreational fishers to record their catch and more than half (55%) of the recreational fishers agree

"The figures are very interesting and suggest that the government proposals are out of step with public views on fisheries management," Mr Symmans said.

The full report of the Colmar Brunton survey is available at http://www.seafood.co.nz/ and click Hot Topics.

Around two million New Zealanders buying seafood every week

Press Release by NZ Seafood Industry Council, 02 April 2007

Findings from a Colmar Brunton survey of the general public commissioned by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council show that almost half the population are having seafood for dinner at least once a week, says the Council's chief executive Owen Symmans.

"An astounding 88% of the population eat fish at least once a month and 46% are eating it weekly," Mr Symmans said. "This has to be a good sign for the health of the nation."

The health benefits of including seafood in your diet one to two times a week are numerous, Mr Symmans said.

"We regularly receive the results of new research that confirms how good seafood is for long term health."

Studies show that two or more servings of seafood per week may help:

• lower the risk of coronary heart disease
• lower blood pressure
• prevent arrhythmia in the heart muscle
• prevent a second heart attack in people who already have heart disease
• ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• develop nerve and brain cells in infants
• promote good mental health
• reduce the risk of prostate cancer
• reduce Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio so that lung cancer is less invasive
• decrease the risk of bowel cancer
• ease inflamed airways

"I think most people know about Omega-3 oils and their positive effect on health. We're very pleased to see that New Zealanders are eating more seafood regularly," Mr Symmans said.

More information on the health benefits of eating seafood is available at http://www.greatestmeal.co.nz/.

The full report of the Colmar Brunton survey is available at http://www.seafood.co.nz/ and click Hot Topics.