Controversial fisheries reforms have generated the biggest public backlash in decades and non-commercial interests are saying their fight doesn’t end here. Around 25,000 people have submitted against a raft of changes to the Fisheries Act, concerned that environmental protections for coastal fish and marine life, built up over time, are being dismantled.
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones’ proposals have generated strong responses from both sides of the debate. Corporate fishing companies who control most of the quota favour the changes while recreational, small-scale commercial fishers and Māori are concerned the government is relinquishing public control of another national resource to private investors, at the expense of the environment.
“It’s concerning that the proposals seek to make commercial access to fish easier, by legalising wasteful practices such as dumping and discarding of fish. We’re killing the goose that lays the golden egg. The commercial fishing industry argues that because the fish are not of any economic value they should be allowed to dump them. But these fish are dead or dying. They are no longer a productive part of the population so fish populations will continue to fall due to wasteful practices and over harvest”, says Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead.
“There is no fast-track way to sustainability. A reform that increases the risks to ecosystem function and productivity for no tangible benefit is not a reform at all. Reform is a change for the better. It’s simple, we need more fish in the water, not privatisation of public fishing.”
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and its subsidiary LegaSea have been campaigning against the reform proposals since February. The Fisheries Reform Scam campaign has hit a nerve with the Minister and Seafood New Zealand, the industry advocates for commercial interests.
“We’re not surprised there has been strong pushback from quota owners, they’ve got a lot of skin in the game. However, if these proposals from the Minister go through then it’s the public that are going to lose. When we go to the beach we want our kids to enjoy vibrant marine life. These proposals will not take us there. The Minister has a statutory responsibility to ensure sustainability and all we want is a fair go for New Zealanders now and future generations”, says Scott Macindoe, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council President.
The submission deadline is today, 11 April. The Minister has indicated there will be a bill put before Parliament by mid-2026. The Council and LegaSea worked with the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association and the New Zealand Underwater Association to develop a 60-page response to the proposals. All parties are prepared to participate in any further discussions on this important issue.
ENDS
Contacts
Sam Woolford
LegaSea Project Lead
027 539 4566
Scott Macindoe
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council President
021 622 463
More information
W: https://legasea.co.nz/fisheries-reforms-scam/
Submission form: https://legasea.co.nz/fisheries-reforms-scam-submission-form/
Joint submission: https://www.nzsportfishing.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Fisheries-Act-joint-submission-11-April-2025.pdf
