February 18, 2025
This morning’s announcement by Shanes Jones, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, proposed major changes to the Fisheries Act that threaten to remove public consultation, weaken governance, camera regulations, and discard rules. During the press conference, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries was overt in his support for commercial fishers and quota owners. At the same […]
February 14, 2025
Recreational fishing and environmental advocates are calling for a strong public movement to oppose changes to the Fisheries Act which threatens New Zealand’s staple fish species and the marine environment. The proposal, announced by Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, includes a variety of reforms to the Fisheries Act, such as removing public consultation […]
February 4, 2025
Entries open on the 21st of December 2024 and go through until the 28th of February 2025. Enter now and be in to win to win some great prizes!
January 23, 2025
Media Release A new proposal to increase commercial crayfish catch limits threatens to deplete already dangerously low crayfish populations in significant coastal areas of east Northland and the Hauraki Gulf. Fisheries NZ is looking to increase commercial catch limits on the northeast coast of New Zealand between Te Arai Point and East Cape, an area […]
January 22, 2025
We hope you’re feeling recharged after the summer break because we’ll need every ounce of energy to tackle what may be the most shocking example of regulatory capture by the commercial fishing industry yet. Right now, we’re staring down the grim reality of a proposed commercial catch increase in CRA 2 (Te Arai Point down […]
January 20, 2025
Sharing is caring and now sharing can contribute towards conservation. Sharing the unwanted parts from your freshly caught fish is one of the easiest ways to help restore our inshore fish populations. It’s simple. If we make better use of what we catch, we can catch fewer fish while still feeding our friends and families. […]
December 30, 2024
What does a Highly Protected Area and a closed scallop fishery have in common? Both signal that New Zealand’s fisheries management is failing, and you are paying the price for that failure. The consequences of poor management are restrictions on your ability to catch scallops or fish for your family. In our last two articles […]
December 18, 2024
There’s something about fishing that just feels good for the soul. Whether it’s a day spent drifting quietly on still waters, casting your line past the breakers on the beach, or heading out wide with your closest mates, it offers a gentle reprieve from the relentless buzz of everyday life. For so many of us […]
December 10, 2024
We’re pleased to announce the release of the new Free Fish Heads app. Get it now on Google Play and the App Store. Experience the true spirit of community and sustainability with the Free Fish Heads app. We’re on a mission to connect local New Zealand fishers with seafood lovers eager to enjoy the often-overlooked parts of the […]
November 26, 2024
If you spend time on or near the water, we want to know if you have seen changes in the availability or occurrence of baitfish. Please let us know your experiences in this survey.
