Despite overall increase in revenue Sanford still expecting profit loss.

Continuing kudos for the management of New Zealand’s fisheries helps boost the balance sheet, according to at least one major player.

Sanford managing director Eric Barratt said the United Nations-sanctioned researched that ranked New Zealand’s marine management best out of 53 countries, has an impact at point of sale in export markets.

“It helps put New Zealand seafood in the front counter,” he told NBR.

Mr Barratt said it was important in countries particularly sensitive to environmental impact.

Dunedin fisherman Steve Little says having the spectre of prosecution hanging over him for his refusal to carry an official observer on his boat is “very stressful.”

Ministry of Fisheries investigators grilled Mr Little for an hour-and-a quarter on Thursday afternoon during a formal interview at the ministry’s Dunedin office, held behind closed doors.

A week after Sealord confirmed it would axe 323 jobs from its Nelson mussel factory, two South Island seafood companies have applied to import 100 migrant labourers.

Motueka-based Talley's Fisheries and Marlborough-based Aotearoa Seafood Ltd have said the applications were made in a tight labour market before Sealord confirmed its redundancies.

Talley's Fisheries has lodged an application with the Immigration Department to employ 70 migrant workers from Asia or South America in its seafood and vegetable processing plants, and more as fishing crew.