AUT alumni receives seafood industry honour
Seafood New Zealand has named AUT aquaculture alumni, Te Tane Trinick, as one of the seafood industry’s rising stars.
Trinick received the 2016 Young Achiever Award at Seafood Stars, the industry’s most prominent awards gathering, for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the future of the seafood industry.
The Bachelor of Science graduate was surprised but elated to win. “It’s an honour to have been nominated, let alone to win the award,” he says.
Trinick’s interest in aquaculture began early, with a childhood spent fishing and diving on the East Coast. He went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science majoring in aquaculture.
“I’ve always have a strong passion for seafood and sustainable seafood sources. I love the variety the industry offers, and there’s so much to learn about different species and practices,” he says. “I decided to come to AUT because I saw an opportunity for aquaculture in New Zealand and I wanted to be a part of it.”
During his time at AUT, Trinick was selected by Te Ohu Kaimoana and Japanese seafood company Nissui for a year-long scholarship in Japan. He went on to work for Sealord and Foodstuffs after graduating, before moving to Queenstown to become the National Sales Manager for Mt Cook Alpine Salmon.
He says his degree has proven to be an advantage. “In my current role, I’m able to translate some of the more technical aspects of working with fish into language that’s easy for customers to understand.” Eventually, Trinick hopes to own his own seafood business or manage an international aquaculture organisation.
AUT Associate Dean of Research and Enterprise, Lindsey White, was delighted to see Trinick receive the Young Achiever Award. “We’re very proud to produce graduates like Te Tane, who are making a big impact through their work. His passion is evident in his career achievements and his commitment to sustainable seafood – he’s very deserving of this recognition.”