Nici Gibbs

Director, Fathom Consulting Ltd

2024 PROFILE UPDATE

I’ve been involved in fisheries policy for over 25 years now and it’s interesting to look back and see what the fishing industry has been able to achieve and what we haven’t managed to do (yet).  We’ve achieved a lot in terms of industry responsibility for fisheries management – one of the things I most enjoy about my business is having the opportunity to work with groups of fishers and quota owners who want to do things for themselves.  It’s also fantastic to see so many women involved in the fishing industry and taking on responsibilities in industry organisations.

But the “to do” list is a long one.  High on my personal list of issues that we in Aotearoa New Zealand still need to work on are recognising the full potential of the Quota Management System, managing the full range of threats to marine biodiversity, and effective management of recreational fishing.  I’m sure others will have different lists.  One of the things I’ve learnt is that it takes patience and perseverance to change attitudes and policies. There’s no point chasing quick political fixes for the challenges the fishing industry faces – we need stable and enduring solutions that work for everyone.  I’d like to be able to contribute to those solutions, but I also intend to make time for the other parts of my life!

I’ve been a policy advisor to the seafood industry for seventeen years now, but it all started by accident. Back in 1999 I dropped into a bar to help farewell an ex-colleague and I ended up chatting to a manager from the recently-established Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC).  Next thing I knew I was working for SeaFIC on a temporary basis, but quickly became addicted to the challenges and diversity of the seafood business. I spent the next 12 years as the Policy Manager for the New Zealand seafood industry working extensively on all aspects of fisheries and aquaculture policy, legislation and management.  My background in senior government advisory positions at the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Maori Development, Department of Conservation and Wellington Regional Council (where I was a senior planner for several years) enabled me to establish the SeaFIC Policy Unit as a credible and valued policy provider in the eyes of both industry and government.

In late 2011 I set up my own company, Fathom Consulting. Fathom specialises in strategic policy, industry development, environmental policy and natural resource management, with a strong focus on the marine environment. While many of my clients are from the seafood industry, I also work for Iwi, government agencies, other marine users and international clients. I share a Wellington office with other like-minded consultants known as the Shoal group.

Reflecting my background in industry and government, I work most effectively at the interface between government policy and those who are affected by policy and regulation. I help my seafood industry clients to influence policy and legislation, achieve positive outcomes from regulatory and planning processes (e.g., fisheries and marine regulation, Resource Management Act issues), and understand the implications of new policy for their own businesses.  My particular passion is enabling sectors of the seafood industry to take collective responsibility for the sustainable management of fisheries.

I can be contacted at nici@fathom.net.nz.