Reform of fisheries, is licensing next?

Shane Jones, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, is pushing fisheries reform. Around 70 percent of New Zealanders also want reform, but their reasons couldn’t be further apart.

A majority of Kiwis want fisheries reform fit for the 21st century. They want changes so fish populations can grow more abundant. No surprise, as more fish in the water and a thriving marine environment contributes to our communal wellbeing.

As a self-proclaimed apostle for the fishing industry, the Minister has put forward proposals to remove regulations he claims are “unnecessarily restricting utilisation” of fish stocks for commercial gain. Behind the rhetoric, the reforms would weaken environmental standards and enable higher commercial catch limits to increase exports, while restricting public input.

This completely disregards the fact that the fish swimming in New Zealand’s waters belong to us all.
And looming in the background, his reforms open the door to licensing recreational fishers.

The Minister’s proposals reflect the wishlist of the major investors who control around 90 percent of all fisheries quota, the right to commercially harvest fish from New Zealand waters. The bulk of that quota was gifted to investors during the 1980s rush to privatise state assets.

Perversely, individuals and companies that fished the hardest were rewarded with the most quota.

Since the introduction of the Quota Management System (QMS) in 1986 the narrative has shifted from a harvesting right. Quota is now talked about as if it grants private property rights to every fish in the sea. That’s a convenient story for investors, because now they’re coming for the remainder – the fish New Zealanders enjoy catching for their family.

If these reforms make it through Parliament increased privatisation could see the end of recreational fishing as we know it. Already stretched thin fish populations will continue to collapse. In many areas crayfish and shellfish are just a memory. Licensing is an added barrier for families that want or need to go fishing.

What’s more, licensing will be used to tightly control our total recreational catch.

Licensing will relieve the Minister of his obligation to manage fish populations to provide for the public’s needs and the interests of future generations. The statutory duty to set aside a sufficient tonnage as a variable allowance for Māori customary or recreational fishing interests will be replaced with a pre-set allocation.

Allocation means quota, with reporting requirements and penalties if the collective catch goes over the limit.

Many fish stocks are already over-allocated to commercial interests, with catch limits higher than the fish available to catch. Under these reforms, recreational fishers can expect what’s left over – which in many cases will be next to nothing.

This isn’t the first time officials have tried to strip away the guardrails. In the past 25 years, there have been five serious attempts to loosen protections against excessive catch increases. Each one was defeated by everyday New Zealanders and non-profit organisations who fought to restore abundance and protect the public’s right to fish.

This time around the Coalition agreement between National, ACT and NZ First underpins the proposed changes. The recent Horizon Research poll shows support for reform for abundance is high (at 67%) among Coalition party supporters. It’s doubtful they would condone the reforms if they understood that the Minister, a list MP for NZ First, and other organisations have already started beating the licensing drum.

If our kids are to enjoy fishing to feed their family, then every one of the 2.7 million Kiwis who support reforms to deliver restored abundance needs to be prepared to bat away this latest threat.

Minister Jones has signalled that a Fisheries Act amendment Bill will be published by December, then considered by the Select Committee, and given effect by mid-2026.

LegaSea, on behalf of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, will be spearheading the public awareness campaign to ensure Kiwis, who love a thriving marine environment, speak up loud.