Latest updates


LegaSea Newsletter #186 – Don’t let them ignore you

April 16, 2026 You’ve been ignored once. Now it’s time to turn things around. The Fisheries Amendment Bill is with the Primary Production Select Committee and is open for public consultation. LegaSea is urging you to have a say because this Bill represents a material threat to our fish, our fishing, and our kids’ interests.

What’s in the Bill? Removing environmental safeguards

April 15, 2026 Section 13 – Removing environmental considerations when setting catch limits.  Removes environmental safeguards, allowing the Minister to set catch limits without considering the effect of fishing on the wider marine environment and species not in the Quota Management System. (Note – there are only 98 species in the QMS). The Fisheries Amendment Bill prioritises commercial ... Read more.

MEDIA RELEASE: Government ignoring public outcry on Fisheries Reforms

April 15, 2026 Why is the government ignoring high profile Kiwis and strong public sentiment opposing its controversial fisheries reforms? A groundswell of social media commentary, led by fishing advocate Matt Watson, marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, and advocacy group LegaSea, and an outpouring of public reaction has highlighted the far-reaching negative impacts of the Fisheries Amendment Bill. “The ... Read more.

Let’s Kill the Bill

April 15, 2026 Article originally published in Fishing in Godzone magazine, April 2026. The Coalition government has made a serious mistake in backing the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries’ most sweeping changes to fisheries legislation in the past 40 years. Kiwis are outraged. And rightly so.  More than 25,000 New Zealanders rejected the proposed changes to the Fisheries ... Read more.

LegaSea newsletter #185 – It’s time to fight for our fish

April 9, 2026 It’s time to fight for our fish. The Fisheries Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in parliament and public consultation is open.  The government has chosen not to delete the amendment to remove commercial minimum size limits for some fish species. This is just one of many reckless amendments included in the Bill that ... Read more.

LegaSea newsletter #184 – If you thought killing baby snapper was bad…

March 30, 2026 The Fisheries Amendment Bill heads to its first reading TOMORROW 31 March. The purpose of the Bill is set out on page one, “to grow the value of seafood sector exports while continuing to ensure sustainability.” It’s clear the Bill prioritises seafood exports. That means everything else becomes an afterthought – the fish, the environment ... Read more.

MEDIA RELEASE: Fisheries Bill Still Not Dead

March 25, 2026 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 ... Read more.

LegaSea newsletter #182 – The Reform Scam is back

March 19, 2026 Today Minister Jones has released the most sweeping changes to fisheries legislation since the quota system was introduced. We have limited time to analyse the Fisheries Amendment Bill before your local MP gets to vote in support or against it.  If you were one of the 27,000 Kiwis who submitted on last year’s proposals, it’s clear your ... Read more.