More fish in the water. Real reform is only possible if adequate governance and management structures are put in place. To get there we need to reform the whole Quota Management System. It is nearly 40 years old and still permits destructive fishing methods and overfishing. 

The government must support commercial fishers to transition away from bottom trawling inshore, to using more selective fishing techniques. Alternatives include longlining, trapping, hand gathering shellfish and even spearfishing for species such as kingfish. 

We must put the fish first. Restoring abundance will mean all Kiwis, including small-scale commercial fishers, benefit from more fish in the water.

Just imagine a system where those fishers doing the hard yards every day out on the water could earn a good return for their hard work, fishing local waters while delivering freshly caught fish to their community. Our alternative policy – Rescue Fish ticks all of these boxes.