LegaSea newsletters

LegaSea newsletter #138 – Election fever

September 1, 2023 It must be election season as we’ve seen a range of fisheries plans, legislation and proposals from the government in the last few weeks. On Tuesday Rachel Brooking, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, launched public consultation for the Bottom Fishing Access Zones, or trawl corridors, in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Then on Wednesday the […]

LegaSea newsletter #137 – Government embraces bottom trawling

August 9, 2023 The government is forging ahead with support for ongoing bottom trawling despite widespread public outrage at the damage it is causing to the marine environment. Two decisions within days of each other confirm the government is committed to allowing bottom trawling, dredging and seining in inshore waters. Both decisions are contrary to the government’s vision […]

LegaSea newsletter #136 – Decisions, decisions…

July 6, 2023 We’re in the depths of winter now, but our team are hotly anticipating important fisheries decisions from Minister Rachel Brooking. There’s sufficient information available to make precautionary decisions, so stand by. Will the Minister allow bottom trawling to continue in the Hauraki Gulf? Will New Zealanders have to subsidise a new trawl fleet? And does […]

LegaSea newsletter #135 – Your voice is really important

June 15, 2023 It may not be the busiest time for catching fish on the water in this mid-winter cold snap, but there’s lots going on with our fisheries. Public consultation on the draft Industry Transformation Plan closed on Sunday. Thanks to all of you that took the time to make a submission. 2800 submissions were made using […]

LegaSea newsletter #134 – Where’s Johnny the John Dory gone?

May 24, 2023 It’s safe to say we’ve been busy here at LegaSea. We’ve just had a massive weekend at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boatshow, with the LegaSea stand possibly the busiest we’ve ever seen. The event was organised incredibly well as per usual and it’s only fair we give a huge shoutout to the new owners XPO and the rest […]

LegaSea newsletter #133 – It’s boat show time

May 12, 2023 Next week sees the return of the biggest show in town for boaties and fishers – the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. After a period of uncertainty over the lease of the Auckland show grounds we are so pleased to see it continue with new owners, in the same location. LegaSea will be there again thanks […]

LegaSea Newsletter #132 – Starving snapper and Kaikōura pāua reopening – A mixed bag

April 13, 2023 Another week and another Minister has been appointed to look after our fish and marine environment. Rachel Brooking is the new Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, sitting outside Cabinet. She replaces David Parker who was reappointed last month when Stuart Nash (a Minister for Fisheries in the last government) was stripped of his ministerial responsibilities. […]

LegaSea Newsletter #131 – Coromandel scallops finally get the rest they need

March 20, 2023 Coromandel scallops are now off the menu for the foreseeable future as the Minister has closed the last remaining commercial scallop beds. This is the end of a long process that began with a brave move by Coromandel iwi, Ngāti Hei, to place a rāhui across Opito Bay in 2020 to protect scallops. This was […]

LegaSea newsletter #130 – We need you to help the Gulf now

February 27, 2023 It’s been a difficult time for many of us with the recent weather events and our hearts go out to everyone who is suffering from the aftermath. The good news is that our work across several fisheries carries on regardless and the deadlines for public consultation on critical issues, such as the Hauraki Gulf Marine […]

LegaSea newsletter #129 – 2023 already full of surprises

February 1, 2023 A new year always brings change and new challenges, and 2023 has started with a real bang. Before we explore 2023 we want to share some big news and a video of how you helped us achieve so much in 2022.