Daria Bell announced as Global Fisheries Scholarship recipient for 2026

Te Ohu Kaimoana and Nissui Corporation are proud to announce that the successful recipient of the Global Fisheries Scholarship for 2026 is Daria Bell (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Maniapoto).

The Global Fisheries Scholarship is an annual opportunity for Māori who are seeking a rewarding career in the seafood industry. The successful scholar spends six months fully immersed in Japanese culture and language while working at Nissui Corporation in Tokyo, Japan.

“I see this experience as a turning point, an opportunity to gain clarity about the direction I want to take. I know that the knowledge, exposure, and personal growth I gain in Japan will shape my goals in ways I can’t fully predict yet. However, my overall aspiration is continuing to be a kaitiaki, strengthening my skills in marine science and restoration, and finding the pathways that allow me to serve my whānau and taiao”, said Bell.

The scholarship was established in 2001 as a joint initiative between Te Ohu Kaimoana and Japanese company Nissui Corporation as an innovative programme to develop and grow the skills of Māori wanting to work or already employed in the seafood industry of Aotearoa.

“I am looking forward to spending time at the Marine Centre in Ōita, where aquaculture research and development are at the forefront. I’ve always viewed aquaculture as a powerful tool for restoration projects and to see the innovations being made and how they might support the health of our own marine ecosystems. As someone who carries both scientific training and mātauranga Māori, I’m eager to explore how Indigenous knowledge systems can sit alongside modern aquaculture technologies.”

Bell currently works at iwi-owned seafood company Moana New Zealand as a Hatchery Technician and holds a Bachelor of Science Major in Aquaculture and Master of Science in Environmental Management. She is scheduled to travel to Japan in July of 2026.