Ant Smith measures a yellow-eyed penguin chick at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust's Long Point Reserve in the Catlins last year. Photo supplied.
The national award celebrates the hard work of individuals, groups and organisationsin looking after the environment, with the public voting online for their favourite candidate.
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust field manager David McFarlane had worked with award nominee Ant Smith on many projects.
''Ant is passionate about promoting sustainable use of the seas and conservation of threatened species.''
Mr Smith used a ''cone'' to reduce the capture of seabirds when fishing and discarded offal overboard only when there was no risk to seabirds from fishing gear.
Voting is open until February 28 and the winner will be announced during Seaweek, which runs from February 28 to March 8.
