Kia ora Friend,
If you've been with us a while, you'll know LegaSea doesn't exist to make noise for the sake of it. We exist because New Zealand's fisheries matter, because access to our kaimoana matters, and because abundance doesn't come from wishful thinking or political lobbying. It comes from effective management that puts ecosystems first. It comes from decisions that reflect the health of the marine environment, not how much can be extracted and sold overseas.
This year is crucial. An election is coming, and with it the familiar noise, pressure, and promises. We're awaiting the re-emergence of the so-called fisheries reform scam under the guise of Shane Jones' amendments to the Fisheries Act. Less protection, more extraction, and greater sway by commercial interests at the expense of everyone else who relies on healthy oceans and seafood to survive.
Our job doesn't change. We'll keep pushing for a system that feeds Kiwis first, removes destructive fishing practices from our waters, and genuinely rebuilds fish populations rather than passively supporting their decline. We'll call out bad decisions when they land. We'll back practical solutions where they exist. We'll make sure everyday New Zealanders aren't sidelined while their shared resource is carved up for shareholder profit and a minuscule portion of our GDP.
The year ahead will be noisy, political, and most likely frustrating. But it's also a very good opportunity to reset the conversation. Let's remind decision-makers who the ocean actually belongs to, and push harder for the fishing future we know is possible for our kids. We're glad you're here for it.
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Last year the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, announced what he described as a major reform of New Zealand's fisheries system as part of the National and NZ First coalition agreement to "remove regulations that impede the productivity and enormous potential of the seafood sector". The proposal represented a deliberate shift of power away from the public and toward a small group of commercial quota holders, presented as a technical improvement rather than what it really was. We made it loud and clear that the proposed 'reforms' were a scam, and that hasn't changed.
National has agreed to continue developing the proposals into an Amendment Bill. As we move through an election year, we expect the draft Bill to resurface late February or early March. Potentially reframed, but built on the same foundations. If we don't make enough noise, the Bill could wiggle its way to becoming official legislation, leaving a long-lasting impact. Fewer fish in the water, tighter access for everyday New Zealanders, and a fisheries system increasingly skewed toward those already extracting the most. This is one of the most serious threats to our inshore fisheries in decades. When the Bill is released we will need your help to put a stop to the nonsense. Stay tuned for more information. Click here to read our 2025 submission and record of process. |
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Quick Facts about the upcoming Fisheries Amendment Bill |
🏴☠️ What are the next steps for Shane Jones' reforms?
The first round of public consultation closed on 11 April 2025. Despite 95% of submissions to Fisheries NZ opposing the proposed 'reforms', Cabinet has agreed to proceed with the changes. Policy advisors are now drafting an Amendment Bill, which is expected to go before a Select Committee in early 2026. We will only get to have a say at the Select Committee stage. Our reality is that the proposed changes could be locked into legislation by the end of 2026.
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🏴☠️ Who developed the proposed reforms?
Commercial fishing industry representatives spent a year developing a wishlist of changes. The Minister directed Fisheries New Zealand to work with the Seafood Industry Forum to develop a proposal package for public consultation. Recreational fishing and environmental representatives were deliberately not invited to participate in those discussions. |
🏴☠️ What would real reform look like?
More fish in the water. To get there we need to transition away from bottom trawling inshore to using more selective fishing techniques. That includes longlining, trapping, hand gathering shellfish and even spearfishing for species such as kingfish. It's clear the status quo isn't working. What we need is a bold reform that puts the fish first, restores abundance and benefits all Kiwis including small-scale commercial fishers.
Just imagine a system where those fishers doing the hard yards every day out on the water could earn a good return for their hard work, fishing local waters while delivering freshly caught fish to their community. Our alternative policy – Rescue Fish ticks all of these boxes. |
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An election year also means accountability. Every time the country heads to the polls, we take a close look at where political parties actually stand on oceans and fisheries, not what they say in passing, but what's written into policy and what they're willing to commit to when asked directly.
We don't tell people who to vote for. LegaSea is non-partisan by design. But we are unapologetic about reminding people that votes matter, especially when it comes to shared resources like our oceans. Decisions made in Wellington shape fish abundance, access, and protection for decades, not just the next parliamentary term.
As we've done previously, this election we'll publish a clear, side-by-side breakdown of party fisheries and oceans policies. You'll recognise the format. A simple graphic that cuts through the noise. It will show you who supports stronger fisheries management, who backs rebuilding fish stocks, who is prepared to end destructive fishing practices, and who is silent or absent altogether.
What matters just as much as what's promised is what's happened since the last election. We've seen decisions that favour extraction over recovery, proposals that weaken safeguards, and a proposed reform that puts public fisheries at real risk. Those choices didn't happen in a vacuum. They were made by people elected to represent the public (or those who slipped in on a technicality). The most serious reforms weren't even signalled last election, they came about after Coalition talks. Benign statements made in a Coalition policy that few of us voted for. This year is our chance to use the democratic process the way it's meant to work. To ask meaningful questions and expect truthful answers. It's our time to put people in positions of power who are prepared to listen, people who care, and are prepared to act in the long-term interests of our oceans and the communities that depend on them. We'll do the homework, and we'll share it with you so that collectively we can hopefully make the right choice.
I fish. I care. I vote. |
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🎏 Catch of the Day
"Rebuilding abundance is not anti-commercial; it is the only path to long-term commercial, recreational, and social viability." |
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The 2026 Auckland Boatshow |
The 25th Auckland Boat Show is a powerful reminder of just how important boating and fishing are to the New Zealand way of life - and why we must keep up the momentum to restore abundance to our fisheries. Recreational boating and fishing aren't just hobbies. They support tens of thousands of jobs, contribute billions to New Zealand's economy, and underpin a marine industry that reaches from boat builders and marinas to tackle stores, tourism operators and coastal communities. When our fisheries thrive, so does this sector - and so does Aotearoa. Nowhere is that more visible than at the Auckland Boat Show, where boats, innovation, and passion for the water all come together in one place. Kiwis love getting out on the water, catching a fish, and sharing those moments with friends and family - and we don't want that to end with our generation. The LegaSea team will be at the show to talk face to face with thousands of you about what abundance, biodiversity, and a healthy marine environment really mean - and why change is needed today, so our kids can enjoy the same experiences tomorrow. A big shout-out to NZ Marine, our valued LegaSea partner, and the owners and organisers of the Auckland Boat Show for their leadership and continued support of a strong, sustainable recreational boating and fishing sector. The 25th Auckland Boat Show takes place 5 - 8 March 2026 at the Viaduct Events Centre. Come and say hello. You can buy tickets to the show from here.
You will also find us at the same place the following week at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. Happening as part of Moana Auckland, the festival is on at the Viaduct Events Centre from 13 - 15 March 2026. For more information, check out the website here.
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Okuma and CD - Loyal LegaSea partners |
Okuma and its parent company, Composite Developments, are long-time, loyal, and generous supporters of LegaSea. Their backing has been vital to our work to restore abundance to our waters and ensure a better future for fishing in New Zealand.
They understand something fundamental: without healthy fish populations, there is no future for fishing - recreational or commercial. That long-term vision is what makes their support so meaningful.
On top of that, Okuma produces some of the best fishing gear money can buy - gear designed by people who genuinely care about fishing, fishers, and the waters we all rely on.
We're proud to stand alongside partners like Okuma and deeply grateful for their continued commitment to bringing abundance back to our oceans.
"Our partnership with Legasea is about a shared and deep rooted love for our waters. We are committed to ensuring that the abundance we have been able to enjoy remains for generations of Kiwis yet to come."
Tom Johanson, Composite Developments
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In the news...
Shane Jones parliamentary speech on fisheries
Shane Jones didn't just disagree with us in Parliament, he openly sneered at the idea that everyday New Zealanders should have a say in the future of their own fisheries. He made it clear that if you don't arrive with a commercial balance sheet or quota, your voice doesn't count.
LegaSea Facebook Post, February 2026 |
Stirring up the Truth on Bottom Trawling Public momentum to end bottom trawling continues to build as the severity of the detrimental impact on our oceans through this fishing method is brought into sharp focus. Sophie Auckram, Mindful Money, January 2026 |
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LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners: |
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