Latest updates


Summary of recent submissions

August 28, 2019 LegaSea recently worked with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s fisheries management team and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association to develop and submit eight responses to proposals from Fisheries New Zealand. These submission are briefly summarised below. Tarakihi East coast North and South Islands. Minister’s decision – decrease the Total Allowable Commercial Catch […]

Tarakihi – a fish and chip favourite

August 22, 2019 Tarakihi are a popular table fish for good reason. They have nice flaky, white flesh which makes them suitable for a variety of dishes when eaten fresh. Sadly, good catches are becoming few and far between and that can be put down to the poor state of east coast tarakihi stocks. This is a concern […]

Committed guardians of Marlborough

August 12, 2019 The mere mention of fishing in the Marlborough Sounds incites a range of responses, from happy memories to deep concern for the environment. These reactions are a reflection of how passionate people are about the Sounds. That passion was evident at the recent Annual General Meeting of the Marlborough Recreational Fishers Association held in Blenheim. […]

No more small dead fish

August 6, 2019 Dining at a food court in the city guarantees a range of flavours and types of food to suit your appetite. On the dark side, at some of these eateries there are small fish legally available for sale. Often these fish are surrounded by a tasty sauce and gleefully consumed by hungry customers with little […]

Changes to charter boat rules

July 24, 2019 Fisheries New Zealand has released management proposals that will affect 13 inshore finfish and shellfish stocks, and seven deepwater stocks. If changes are approved, they will apply from October this year. FNZ information is available online. Changes to the reporting regime for charter boat operators are also proposed. Since 2010 charter vessels have been required […]

Tarakihi review – take time out

July 19, 2019 Tarakihi management is under review and we need you to get stuck in and support the Minister to make a precautionary decision aimed at rebuilding depleted stocks on the east coast between Otago and Northland. Last year over 9000 of us signed LegaSea’s Time Out for Tarakihi petition calling for the Minister to cut commercial […]

The madness of trying to manage fisheries with property rights

July 18, 2019 The Quota Management System has short-changed fish, mana whenua and the public since it was established in 1986. The system was set up with the quota owners having to pay resource rentals. This only lasted a few years. For the past 30 years the commercial fishing industry has not paid for the use of these […]

Low impact fisheries in protected areas

July 15, 2019 Anyone fishing from shore knows that it’s a tough gig. So many elements such as the tide, wind, and swell have to be right before you even get your line wet. As fish stocks decline so do your chances of success. Some days it comes down to a choice between buying burley to increase your […]

LegaSea grateful for boat show success

June 27, 2019 “One of the best ever” is how Sam Woolford, LegaSea Project Leader, describes the recent Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland. Thanks to the generosity and support of show organisers LegaSea was at the 4-day event in May signing up new LegaSea Legends, acknowledging existing supporters, and spending time with our much valued Partners. […]

No to removing minimum fish sizes

June 15, 2019 Allowing commercial fishers to land fish of any size is not good fishers management. That was the response from recreational fishers when Fisheries New Zealand suggested removing the minimum size limits for commercially caught fish such as snapper, tarakihi, trevally and flounder. In the Bay of Plenty some of these species are well below sustainable […]