LegaSea is a non profit organisation dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of New Zealand’s marine environment.
Success will be achieved with widespread public support and understanding for policy and fisheries management reform, and by minimising the environmental impacts of fishing.
Together we can succeed. Join the team, every person counts. Please sign up here.
Shane Jones, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, has proposed changes to the Fisheries Act that will pass control of our fisheries to wealthy quota owners – privatising our public resource.
Public submissions closed on 11 April 2025. Now we now wait to see if the proposed amendments pass through Cabinet. Subscribe to receive our LegaSea newsletters to keep up to date.
Read our submission here
LegaSea newsletter #181 – Fines, closures and coffee. What a mix
February 20, 2026
Intertidal abundance requires meaningful management
February 19, 2026
A fine is meant to change behaviour. At sea, that principle is being abandoned.
Rescue Fish encapsulates everything that LegaSea stands for. A holistic solution to remedy depleted fish stocks and address environmental damage.
Together we can deliver restored abundance and diversity; greater food security; jobs and economic well-being.
Go to the Rescue Fish website to find out more.
The Kai Ika project utilises fish heads, frames and offal which were previously going to waste. Since 2016 close to 600,000 kilos of fish parts have been diverted from landfill and repurposed for consumption or organic use.
FishCare – The school of best practice is an educational initiative to help us reduce our collective impact on the marine environment, while ensuring we maximise the benefits of our fishing effort and catch.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council supports LegaSea and participates in various fisheries management and marine protection processes, to make your voice heard. LegaSea Legend and public donations make a valuable contribution to this vital work.
Please view our recent submissions below:
Marlin regulation review, Nov 2025
Commercial fishing regulation review, Nov 2025
Northeast coast crayfish review, Sept 2025
View all submissions here and the 2025 Fisheries management annual report can be found here.
LegaSea is a not for profit organisation established by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council in 2012.
Together with your help we have attended more than 900 events, 368 research and planning meetings, funded 80 submissions, created the FishCare education programe, dedicated 715 hours to the Sea Change marine spatial planning process, conducted the largest ever survey of public views on rock lobster management in New Zealand and performed 2 surveys of recreational fishing practices.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has been serving the interests of its 55 member clubs since 1957. Most of these clubs are Incorporated Societies and between them there are 37,000 affiliated members nationwide.
LegaSea is a group of committed people working together to restore abundance. Our team is a mix of professionals and volunteers. LegaSea is supported by a host of corporate partners and the generosity of thousands of people who care about our marine environment. There is power in numbers, your contribution will make a difference. The tide is turning.
Starting at just $20 per month, becoming a LegaSea Legend is more than just a financial commitment, it’s a leadership role. You can inspire others to join us, to lend a hand. We are not looking for a few Legends we are looking for thousands.
Keep up to date with the latest news. We publish regular articles, social media posts and media releases to keep New Zealand informed
on what’s happening with our fisheries.
Join the discussion on our active social media pages:
Whitehaven is a fully committed LegaSea Platinum Partner who have developed a range of high-quality wines to support LegaSea. They donate $2.50 for every bottle sold through their website – $30 per case!
Support LegaSea by drinking Kōparepare wines by Whitehaven.
Buy some clothing from the
outstanding Barkers X LegaSea range, developed by Barkers to support LegaSea.
Our Partners, both Platinum and Gold are our lifeblood. They help LegaSea with funding and materials. Their support motivates the team and demonstrates a commitment to all New Zealanders to ensure our lives are made richer through the health of our fisheries and the environment we all live in.
Our current Platinum Partners are: