Press Release 12 Dec 2007
Hauling in energy use in the seafood industry
Signing the agreement. From left to right: SeaFIC’s Chairman of the Board David Sharp, and CEO Owen Symmans. EECA’S CEO Mike Underhill, and Chairman of the Board, Roger Sutton
Press Release by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), 12 December 2007
The New Zealand Seafood Industry has formed a partnership with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to focus on energy efficiency measures for the seafood sector.
A series of projects over the next 12 months will target reducing energy consumption across the industry from high-seas fishing to land-based processing. Energy is a significant component of operating costs in the fishing industry and can be up to 60 per cent of at-sea operating costs. The partnership will concentrate on developing a best practice energy programme.
The programme is aiming for a reduction of 10 per cent of energy used, within five years. That's the equivalent of all the electricity used by around 23,000 New Zealand households in a year.
The partners believe that the industry clearly demonstrates potential for energy reduction. Large New Zealand fishing company, Sealord was recently the winner of EECA's Energy for Industry Industrial/Manufacturing award.
"Our industry is committed to encompassing all aspects of sustainability - a focus on achieving increased energy efficiency is part of that commitment," said Seafood Industry Council's Chief Executive Owen Symmans. "The overall outcome for the industry and New Zealand can only be beneficial in terms of both our carbon footprint and economic performance."
The partnership is evidence of the industry's positive approach to reducing its energy consumption, Mr Symmans says.
"New Zealand's economic development is very reliant on the success of our businesses," says EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill. "They can be more efficient, productive and competitive by getting the most out of their energy spend.
"We need to up the level of energy management across the business sector. The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, released in October this year, targets a number of actions to do this - including a commitment to improve the use of best energy management practices."
A year-long pilot programme has been developed around three themes:
- monitoring and controlling energy use
- improving the energy efficiency of fishing gear
- sharing information and raising awareness.
The seafood industry is the second industry energy best practice programme to be supported by EECA. Plastics New Zealand, through its best practice programme, has committed to real savings and uncovered significant potential economic benefits for the 400 companies in the industry.
Background
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)
EECA works closely with large energy using businesses and energy intensive business sectors to assist them improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and increase profitability through the Emprove business programme.A key part of the Emprove programme is the Energy Intensive Business project which EECA administers on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment.
The major policy measures under the Energy Intensive Business project are to:
- Provide targeted assistance to overcome financial barriers and demonstrate energy efficiency through a capital grants scheme;
- Provide support for innovation and energy efficient technology uptake; and
- Support training and education for company directors, managers and senior staff on energy efficiency and influence a conservation culture.
The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd (SeaFIC)
The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd (SeaFIC) is the primary umbrella organisation representing the generic interest of all sectors of the New Zealand seafood industry. These sectors include quota owners, fishers, marine farmers, seafood processors, wholesalers and exporters.Seafood industry energy use
- Statistics New Zealand identified that the catch sector of the seafood industry is the most energy intensive form of industry in New Zealand.
- The catch sector of the industry is eight times more energy intensive than land based agriculture.