The crew
These are the people who make LegaSea possible. The LegaSea crew focus on fundraising and elevating public awareness of issues that affect recreational fishers. This team appreciates the support of a growing team of volunteers. Our core Fisheries Management team work on the gritty detail. Our Governance team provide leadership.
The LegaSea contractors focus on elevating public awareness of issues that affect recreational fishers and fundraising.

Growing up with the Manukau Harbour as his backyard, Sam's earliest fishing memories were of rowing a wooden clinker across Blockhouse Bay catching kahawai on spinners. From here, his passion for the ocean grew.
As a qualified dive instructor; summers were spent fishing, diving, delivering boats up and down the country and working on yachts in New Caledonia.
After returning from a 5-year hiatus in Europe, the noticeable decline in the health of our coastal fisheries spurred a desire to get involved. “I want future generations to grow up enjoying similar experiences as we did when kids". Sam has a Marketing and IT background and is a qualified CIMA accountant.

Trish is a professional and experienced advocate, and has more than a decade of fisheries management experience.
She has worked on issues from sustainability reviews to policy management to public rights, and is extremely dynamic in her ability to spread information and increase public awareness.
Naturally, she brings an extensive network of well-developed, positive working relationships with recreational fishing, tangata whenua and environmental interest groups.
Growing up in a Samoan family Trish knows in her bones that Polynesians are hard-wired to eat kaimoana so she does her best to ensure all Kiwis have access to good, healthy food from the sea.

Simon’s father handed him his first fishing rod at the age of five. From that moment on fishing for him became far more than just a means to an end. It influenced where he lived, where he holidayed, who is best mates were, his skill development in boating, tackle management and preparing kai moana. It helped shape his proud kiwi heritage.
Simon has a substantial and award winning sporting, sponsorship, promotional marketing and advertising background. An extremely creative and strategic thinker he can help make LegaSea supporters not just leaders but heroes of the future.
"I can’t stand by and watch the destruction of our kiwi lifestyle so that a few fellow kiwis can selfishly manage our fishery into a desert for their own short term gain.
I want to pass on the life rewarding opportunity that fishing provides, not just a bunch of old photos and bedtime stories of how it once was. This vision cannot be achieved alone. We need every kiwi to play their part. It’s the responsibility of us all”

Dallas has extensive experience in marine conservation, particularly in scientific research and education. Upon completion of a bachelor's degree in Marine Science and Management, he pursued a career in education through becoming a Naturalist guide on the Great Barrier Reef and at Sydney’s sea life aquarium, sharing knowledge with the public. He then moved to New Zealand and became a Fisheries Observer with the Ministry for Primary Industries and logged in excess of 350 days at sea over a 2.5 year period. All of this experience has allowed Dallas to excel in advocating for sustainable fisheries in an informative and educational capacity.

Jessica’s passion for the ocean was fostered from a childhood of summers exploring the coastal waters at Mangawhai. It often included putting together her own tackle box and fishing for kahawai and snapper in the estuary. Now, she is committed to sharing these experiences with her own young family.
Jessica's strong business acumen resulted in her holding senior roles in a number of multinational organisations. With a desire to use her professional experience for good, she left the corporate world choosing to specialise in grant funding and project administration for not-for-profits. Add an overt desire to ensuring our fisheries are managed in a sustainable manner and working with LegaSea became a fait accompli.

Benn’s extensive background working in digital communications has brought essential skills to LegaSea. After running his own communications agency for many years, Benn followed his heart to work in an area he truly cares about with a mission to make a real difference.
Also a keen cook, his favourite things to do in the world is catch, prepare, cook and eat kaimoana and with as much variety and in as many different ways as possible.

Having spent a large portion of her life in Cairns where the Daintree meets the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney had unlimited access to the very best of nature. Frustrated about the effects people were having on the environment, Sydney decided to return home to turn her passion into a career and now has a BSc in environmental science and applied conservation from AUT.

With over 20 years of experience in administration roles, Louise embraces the administrative duties with dedication. For that reason, she has been the backbone of many community organisations. Most recently, the Warkworth Gamefish Club, Sandspit Marina Society and the Sandspit Yacht Club in multiple roles including Learn to sail coach, she is an active member of the Yacht Club and has spent years sharing her joy of boating with others.

Murray is passionate about working with a great organisation to protect our inshore fishery for our people, our communities and for future generations. As a kid growing up in Northland, he spent hours on wharves catching sprats (thanks for your patience, Mum).
"Had some amazing experiences fishing with my grandfather and father. We could catch a few Kahawai on the way for a fish with a white piece of cloth on a hook. That was bait for the day. Time out at sea with friends and family is the ultimate Kiwi Experience for me. But we have dropped the ball on our watch.
We must leave this fishery in as good a place as we found it and currently, we are failing to do this. Bottom trawling and dredging in our inshore fishery are unacceptable behaviour nowadays and has to stop. We know what the problems are, and we know how to solve them. All we lack currently is unified action. So come on New Zealanders, get behind us at LegaSea and make a difference

Scott Macindoe
LegaSea, Fisheries Management and Alignment specialistScott Macindoe is the backbone of LegaSea. His passion is to make certain that the Vision of 'more fish in the water for future generations' is not something that we just talk about – he wants it to become our REALITY.
He is an active environmentalist, a good fisherman, a talented networker, a successful businessman, a green-fingered gardener & a loving family man. His mind is often miles ahead of the others in the room – it is his clarity, insightfulness and ability to think laterally that are his real diamonds.
Scott is totally clear that we can successfully create an organised, professional and respected group that does a fantastic job to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. He is all about working positively Together, witnessed by his efforts to connect recreational fishers with tangata whenua and environmental groups around New Zealand. Scott believes success will be achieved together by understanding & respecting each other’s aspirations and needs.
His energy is infectious and his passions are inspiring. Call Scott on (021) 622463 or email [email protected].
The LegaSea Governance Advisory Committee are members of and appointed by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. The Governance team provides LegaSea with the necessary leadership and guides workflows.

Since a young age, Ian has aspired to learn and participate in all things related to fishing. Ian joined the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club in the early 2000’s and from there has worked his way from helping around the club, to being on the club committee, club NZSFC delegate since 2015 and now NPSUC President. Ian has a strong interest in sport fishing, including light tackle and also furthering the capability and coverage of sport fishing in New Zealand – especially making sport fishing accessible and easily understandable.

Peter is a respected member of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s executive and was Vice President from 2001 to 2009. He is based in Tauranga and has been a zone delegate to the NZSFC Board for 16 years. His distinctive leadership style ensures efficient development of fisheries management submissions and policy documents, and delivery of regular updates for members and supporters.

Scott Macindoe
LegaSea, Fisheries Management and Alignment specialistScott Macindoe is the backbone of LegaSea. His passion is to make certain that the Vision of 'more fish in the water for future generations' is not something that we just talk about – he wants it to become our REALITY.
He is an active environmentalist, a good fisherman, a talented networker, a successful businessman, a green-fingered gardener & a loving family man. His mind is often miles ahead of the others in the room – it is his clarity, insightfulness and ability to think laterally that are his real diamonds.
Scott is totally clear that we can successfully create an organised, professional and respected group that does a fantastic job to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. He is all about working positively Together, witnessed by his efforts to connect recreational fishers with tangata whenua and environmental groups around New Zealand. Scott believes success will be achieved together by understanding & respecting each other’s aspirations and needs.
His energy is infectious and his passions are inspiring. Call Scott on (021) 622463 or email [email protected].

Mark is the Council’s Immediate Past President. He is a long-term member of the Ashley Sport Fishing Club in North Canterbury. Mark is the South Island’s representative on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Board. Mark is keen to continue working to ensure the next generation of New Zealanders enjoy quality fishing, a productive marine ecosystem and strong representation of amateur fishing interests.

Richard is a founding member of the NZ Land Based Game Fishing Club and has been involved with the Council for 26 years. Richard was President from 2008 to 2011, and is now the Council’s youngest ever life member. He is one of New Zealand’s IGFA representatives and a Trustee of the NZ Marine Research Foundation. Richard’s experience is invaluable when he represents the Council as LegaSea’s spokesperson on fisheries management, policy and public education issues.

Dirk Sieling has been a keen angler since his childhood in Holland, where he spent many hours as a kid catching eel and flounder. He continued this passion in New Zealand where he moved in 1974. He learned to dive in Whitianga and spent most of his spare time fishing, diving and hunting. In recent years he represented recreational fishers in the SEACHANGE Stakeholder Working Group that amongst many other things recommended sweeping changes in the management of the greater Hauraki Gulf fisheries, the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park.
Dirk was a regular contributor to NZ Fishing News and is also the author of the Solomon Islands Cruising Guide. Currently he is an elected representative on the Fonterra Shareholders Council where he is tasked with co-chairing a representation and governance review. He has also served as a Councillor on the Thames Coromandel District Council. Dirk is a member of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club and continues to share his passion for fishing. Dirk feels strongly about a more rational approach to fisheries management in New Zealand.
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council representatives, who work on the fisheries management advocacy, research, education and alignment.

Since a young age, Ian has aspired to learn and participate in all things related to fishing. Ian joined the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club in the early 2000’s and from there has worked his way from helping around the club, to being on the club committee, club NZSFC delegate since 2015 and now NPSUC President. Ian has a strong interest in sport fishing, including light tackle and also furthering the capability and coverage of sport fishing in New Zealand – especially making sport fishing accessible and easily understandable.

Trish is a professional and experienced advocate, and has more than a decade of fisheries management experience.
She has worked on issues from sustainability reviews to policy management to public rights, and is extremely dynamic in her ability to spread information and increase public awareness.
Naturally, she brings an extensive network of well-developed, positive working relationships with recreational fishing, tangata whenua and environmental interest groups.
Growing up in a Samoan family Trish knows in her bones that Polynesians are hard-wired to eat kaimoana so she does her best to ensure all Kiwis have access to good, healthy food from the sea.

Vance has been a keen fisher all his life with a particular passion in game fishing since the late 70s, doing a lot of work on charter boats around the Bay of Plenty. He’s been a stalwart of the Mt Maunganui Sports Fishing Club for many years as a committee member for 12 years and Vice President for 6. He now represents the club as a delegate as part of Zone 4 which serves the central Bay of Plenty. He brings his extensive background in agricultural and environmental science to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Standing Committee.

John Holdsworth is our Fisheries Science Expert – the man who tells it like it is – using language that we can all understand.
John is Director of BlueWater Marine Research – a company that conducts a range of scientific research projects, with a special focus on recreational fish species and management issues.
He has over 20 years of experience in fisheries research and is a member of multiple Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Science Working Groups including Highly Migratory Species, Inshore Finfish, and Marine Amateur Fisheries.
John is often seated at the important decision-making tables, and he has this fantastic ability to translate complex fisheries management issues into simple concepts.
Because of all this, and so much more, we think he is more valuable than gold.

Wayne is a life member of the Hawke’s Bay Sport Fishing Club and an IGFA representative.
His years of experience, both in the Ministry’s Area 2 Regional Recreational Fisheries Forum and as a founding member of LegaSea Hawkes Bay, means Wayne is a valuable asset to the Fisheries Management - Marine Protection Sub-committee of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea team.
Wayne has always been a passionate fisherman with a strong sense of commitment to leave the fishery in a better state for those who follow.

Mark is the Council’s Immediate Past President. He is a long-term member of the Ashley Sport Fishing Club in North Canterbury. Mark is the South Island’s representative on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Board. Mark is keen to continue working to ensure the next generation of New Zealanders enjoy quality fishing, a productive marine ecosystem and strong representation of amateur fishing interests.

Richard is a founding member of the NZ Land Based Game Fishing Club and has been involved with the Council for 26 years. Richard was President from 2008 to 2011, and is now the Council’s youngest ever life member. He is one of New Zealand’s IGFA representatives and a Trustee of the NZ Marine Research Foundation. Richard’s experience is invaluable when he represents the Council as LegaSea’s spokesperson on fisheries management, policy and public education issues.
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