In a press release today on the threat being posed to jobs in the fishing industry from the high New Zealand dollar Seafood Industry Council CEO Owen Symmans says
"The combination of high exchange rates, high interest rates, and growing government spending without a relative increase in productivity is disastrous for the seafood sector."
He said increased government spending had added to inflationary pressures.
Over the past five years, there had been a 38 per cent increase of Ministry of Fisheries staffing, while expenditure had risen 26 per cent.
New costs including $8m relating to greenhouse gas pricing would add $16m to the industry's costs this year.
The Hive shares your concern Owen.
