MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 25 March
Fisheries Bill Still Not Dead
Pressure is growing on the government to drop a controversial Bill that has riled the public into action over the past week. Fishing and environmental advocacy groups have been rallying against the Fisheries Amendment Bill since its release last week. The ‘Kill the Bill’ campaign has raised an online storm of protest.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has today announced that the Coalition’s proposal to allow commercial fishers to land and sell undersized fish has been dropped. Advocacy groups, coordinated by LegaSea, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council public outreach vehicle, see the announcement as progress. However all agree, the Bill must be dropped altogether.
“The minimum size limit proposal was just clickbait; the government couldn’t have got that over the line before the election, but realistically, the whole Bill needs to be dropped. It’s that flawed,” said Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Lead.
“The next step is for the government to take the rest of the Bill off the table before its first reading, because if it goes to the Select Committee, we’re not confident our voices will be heard. Last year’s submissions from over 25 thousand people were completely ignored.”
Scott Macindoe, President of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, is pleased the politicians have listened to the public’s concerns. The Council’s membership has been actively opposed to weakening environmental safeguards for fish and lowering standards of oversight, including banning public access to camera footage.
“The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars advocating for restored abundance and a fair go for all Kiwis. The Amendment Bill is a slap in the face for all those people who have fought hard to defend the public’s interest in securing more fish in the water.”
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea will continue to advocate that the Amendment Bill must be dropped at its first reading, before it goes to the Primary Production Select Committee.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement goes to show just how much public pressure can influence decisions. We must keep the pressure on,” said Scott Macindoe.
Sam Woolford is concerned that the Select Committee cannot make major changes to the intent of the Amendment Bill.
“The Bill seeks to pass control of New Zealand’s fish to a small cartel of quota owners. That control must stay with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries so the public can have a say in the future management of our fish, and so our kids can enjoy abundant fisheries.”
ENDS
More information
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council
NATIONAL’S STATEMENT 25/03
“National backs recreational fishers and we’ve heard your concerns over the past couple of days.
“That’s why this morning I spoke to New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones and he agreed to take out the sections of the Fisheries Amendment Bill that removes the minimum size limits.
“As a recreational fisher, I share Kiwis’ concerns on the impacts to juvenile fish stocks. We want to ensure our kids and grandkids have abundant fisheries for the decades to come.
“I know Kiwis still have some concerns, which is why we want the fishing community to submit to the Select Committee process on this Bill.”
– Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister
