Seafood Industry Council chief executive Peter Bodeker offers the condolences to the families of the fishermen who lost their lives after fishing vessel, Oyang 70, sank about 400 nautical miles east of Dunedin early this morning. Three people are still missing. He says the seafood industry is always with the families of such brave hearts.
He told that this tragedy highlights again the unforgiving environment in which our fishers carry out their daily jobs. In spite of the dangerous and isolated nature of their jobs, loss of life in New Zealand waters is a rarity because of good safety record which is a testament of their skill and expertise.
He also told that it is important to note that all the commercial fishing vessels involved in rescues do so voluntarily and sometimes at considerable personal risk, not to mention significant financial cost. These people are heroes, and their courage and dedication will not be forgotten by the people whose lives they saved.
