Few things unite Kiwis like the ocean. Our love of being out on or under the water runs deep. The Auckland Boatshow in early March showcased this, where thousands turned out to support the marine businesses that make our time on the water possible.
Thanks to NZ Marine, the LegaSea team were lucky enough to host a stand at the show and talk with keen ocean-goers about issues facing our coastal fisheries.
Among the boats, gear and innovation, one conversation kept surfacing; deep public concern about the Government’s proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act – the single biggest threat to face our fisheries in decades.
Why? Because if pushed through, the amendments will impact our ability to access a healthy marine environment and fish to feed our whanau.
Recreational fishers, marine businesses, and people who care about the ocean voiced their frustration and disbelief. Many asked us questions like; “Will these reforms stop bottom trawlers from destroying our coastal fisheries?” and “Will they address the loss of fish we’re seeing in our waters?”.
The answer is no.
Instead of tackling the real issues driving the decline of our fisheries, the proposals risk making things worse. The proposals focus on reducing transparency and public oversight, increasing reliance on industry-reported data, and prioritising short-term commercial interests ahead of rebuilding fish stocks and protecting the wider marine environment.
Kiwis have caught on that the so-called reform package being pushed by Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, smells, looks and feels like a scam. And that’s because it is.
Back in April 2025, more than 90% of public submissions rejected the proposals. Despite this overwhelming opposition the government has pushed ahead and released an Amendment Bill..
Once it goes to the Select Committee stage, we only have one more opportunity to make our voice heard. And we need to be loud and clear. That’s because the reform package fails to address the issues of importance to us, the people who have witnessed firsthand the decline in abundance and biodiversity of marine life in our coastal waters.
At first glance the Bill includes extra proposals, previously not publicly consulted on. Among the changes being considered are a strict limit on the timeframe that the public can legally challenge Ministerial decisions. Also, provisions enabling the Minister to ignore the wider ecosystem impacts of fishing when setting catch limits. Not acceptable when 70 percent of commercially harvested fish are taken by bottom trawlers.
The proposals are a recipe for further depletion of our favourite fish stocks. That’s because they ignore the sustainability and productivity of the marine environment. But, without abundance in the water, there is no future of fishing for anyone.
Recent Horizon polling shows 70 percent of New Zealanders, over 2.7 million adults, support fisheries reform ‘to ensure there is an abundant fishery’.
Kiwi’s want real reform that rebuilds fish stocks, restores biodiversity, and secures fish for our future generations. That means food security in times of uncertainty and a sustainable commercial fishing industry. Not a package that weakens protections and removes safeguards.
Around 600,000 Kiwis go fishing every year. Imagine the impact we could have if we all stood up for our fish.
If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
Subscribe to LegaSea to stay up to date as we further unpack the proposed Amendment Bill and how you can make your voice heard.
