Left on tenterhooks

Seafood gatherers not taking the bait is proving an unwanted catch for the organisers of an “incredibly” supported, yet-to-be-launched, seafood market at Port Nelson.

In October last year, Nelson Weekly first reported Timo Neubauer, his wife Olivia, and Lisa Dunker’s plans for a market of this type in time for summer to anchor the Top of the South aquaculture sector.

Timo says public interest was “overwhelmingly positive”, including from North Islanders wanting to know the market’s dates, so they could prospect during their visit to the region.

He added that the bureaucratic hurdles had largely been addressed, with unwavering support from Nelson City Council, Port Nelson, Nelson Regional Development Agency and the Ministry for Primary Industries since the idea was first cast.

However, it just needs further interest from fin fishers before it can go ahead.
Timo had previously told the Nelson Weekly that the market would be a platform for independent fishers to have direct retail sales which could improve their bottom line.

He says some had made contact but getting them on board wasn’t plain sailing.
“Some who were initially interested found it too difficult to lease quota, others might have been put off by fairly onerous food licensing and other bureaucratic requirements under the Fisheries Act,” he says. “Basically, what I hear a lot from fishermen is that a lot of them are in exclusive agreements with larger outfits, and those might preclude them from selling directly to the public.”

“We can’t promise that anything’s going to happen this summer unfortunately, it’s really sad for Nelson.”

Timo says the opportunity remains open for stallholders to register, and with just three or four more fin fishers the market could get underway.

Contact [email protected] if you know a fisher who might be interested.