The controversial Fisheries Amendment Bill has been put on ice and will not be progressed by the current government. 

“This is an incredible victory for New Zealand’s fisheries, our marine environment, and the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who refused to be ignored”, Said Scott Macindoe, President of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council.

After months of relentless public pressure and more than 33,000 submissions to the Select Committee the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones has shelved the Fisheries Amendment Bill for 2026. 

The Bill, which would have handed sweeping new powers to commercial quota owners, weakened environmental protections, and locked the public out of key fisheries decisions, will not advance under this Parliament.

Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead, welcomes the decision: “We acknowledge the Minister’s decision to listen to public concerns, recognise that the Bill was not fit-for-purpose and walk it back. This is a diplomatic decision.”

“This outcome belongs to every New Zealander, eNGOs and the other organisations that made their voice heard by making a submission or emailing their local MP. This is what democracy looks like when people care enough to act,” says Woolford.

Scott Macindoe was unequivocal: “This is a significant win for the future of our fisheries. We have been adamant since the beginning that the Bill as a whole was rotten, cherry-picking wasn’t going to pass, and it needs to go.”

For fishing advocate Matt Watson, the news is a testament to the intensive public campaigning “It’s been a tough battle against the proposed reforms in the Bill, but thanks to the power of the public, we have shown we have a voice, and we can make them listen. I’m proud to be a Kiwi right now.”

That sentiment was echoed across the country. LegaSea’s Kill the Bill campaign united tens of thousands of Kiwis across the country against the Bill. People clearly want to maintain access to a healthy and thriving marine environment.

Darren Shields, spearfisher and founder of Wettie, warns that the fight for our fisheries is not over. “Dropping this Bill until after the election is good. There is no way we will accept legislation that normalises depletion. We need a fisheries management system that prioritises thriving fish populations so every New Zealander can access and enjoy abundance for generations to come.”

On November 7th, New Zealanders will go to the ballot box. LegaSea is encouraging the public to find out where their local candidates and parties stand on fisheries policies and the future of New Zealand’s marine environment – and vote accordingly.