West Coast Fishing – An industry of opportunity

Westfleet – born out of a passion for fishing

In 1979, a group of some 25 hard working, forward thinking fishermen joined efforts and resources and started the Westfleet Fishermans Cooperative Limited; their first move was to buy out, what was at the time, Nelson Fisheries. With an aim of securing a say in their own fishing future and faced with the ever-expanding growth of large factories around New Zealand, the fishermen got to work, putting their vessels and their livelihoods out to sea on the West Coast. With ownership of quota, wharf facilities, processing capacity and a distribution chain, Westfleet supplied demanding markets with West Coast fish for 26 years.

Westfleet today

Purchased in 2006 by Craig Boote (Endurance Fishing) in partnership with Sealords, Westfleet took on a new direction based on the same foundations that served it well since inception. Continued growth and investment in vessels, facilities and people, have enabled Westfleet to pursue a path to a sustainable future.

With a leading management approach, excellent facilities and a vertically integrated business structure, Westfleet continues to lead in innovation and forward thinking.

“Having the best maintained inshore fleet, with on board quality control and best practice fish handling, an efficient wharf facility and the new factory just ‘a forklift away’ Westfleet is leading the way in Australasia when it comes to vertical integration,” says Craig Boote, Managing Director & CEO.

The Westfleet Advantage

If you were going to build a 3,500m2 factory to supply local and export fish markets, you first need the raw material. Westfleet has grown its quota portfolio from 750 to 4,800 tonnes (including 1500 tonnes of hoki quota) giving Westfleet a secure future for its operations.

This approach to growth gives Westfleet a competitive edge.

CEO Craig Boote puts it well – “I want a company to be proud of, that Greymouth will be proud of, and the workers feel like they are part of something worthwhile. I don’t want Westfleet to be the biggest but I do want it to be the best.”

Getting onboard with Westfleet

We watch the Galatea II as the boat is prepared for its next sailing in an hour or so.

We watch the GALATEA II heading out to sea again. She is a 156 ton stern trawler with a steel hull and a crew that keep exceeding expectations for the owners.

Westfleet Seafoods – part of the community

As a company with an eye on the future, and support for the people who will ensure it gets there, Westfleet places huge value on the vibrancy and support of its community – both here on the West Coast, and around New Zealand.

Westfleet is not only one of the largest employers on the coast, is a strong supporter and backer of many great organisations, places, people and events. Some of the recent involvements include; sponsoring the West coast rescue helicopter, donating to local schools and education facilities, supporting sporting events and teams from local rugby & rugby league, to national and local motorsport and providing tertiary scholarships for students.

Coasters, Westfleet is an important part of our thriving fishing industry. Fishing out of Greymouth and processing in the town, this is a company we can all be rightly proud of.