A draft report, ‘The Future Catch – Preserving recreational fisheries for the next generation’ was released on August 1st, 2017. The report is authored by Randall Bess, supported by The New Zealand Initiative, and funded by the US-based Aotearoa Foundation (Julian Robertson) and the late Sir Douglas Myers. This report follows a visit to Western Australia by a team led by The New Zealand Initiative and the US-based Environmental Defense Fund, to learn how their fisheries operate.
The Future Catch is the third in a series of reports that seek to influence government policy on the future of fisheries management in New Zealand. The report and recommendations will be finalised after a series of public meetings and presented to the new government by the end of 2017.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association, LegaSea and its supporters have reviewed The Future Catch and are concerned the report is being used as a vehicle to garner public support for privatisation of our fisheries, a natural resource that belongs to all New Zealanders.
New Zealand’s fisheries are owned by the public of New Zealand and managed by the Crown for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association, LegaSea and its supporters are opposed to attempts to privatise our fisheries. We must restore depleted fish stocks and protect access to our fisheries for future generations.
Helpful documents
LegaSea has coordinated a response from a number of organisations to The Future Catch report. The documents below will be updated as new information becomes available. Please feel free to download the documents and share them with your family, friends and colleagues.
29 August 2017 – Talking Points – A review of The Future Catch report recommendations.
29 August 2017 – Questions and Answers – Responses to common questions about the proposals and our solutions.
1 August 2017 – The Future Catch – A document prepared by the New Zealand Initiative, a think tank resulting from the 2012 merger of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and the New Zealand Institute. Its task is to lobby for pro-market economic and social policies.
