It's exciting times. Launching Rescue Fish has generated mixed feedback, ranging from 'I can't afford to change how I fish' to the more inquisitive 'how will this benefit small town New Zealand?' Your feedback is gratefully received because we know this is a big topic, and that we need to flesh out some of the proposed reforms. 

Rest assured, Rescue Fish has been presented in good faith to drive change, to protect our marine environment and get better value from the fish we harvest. To succeed we need your signature on the Rescue Fish petition. You can stand up for change. 

Please sign the Rescue Fish petition.

The common definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Equally bizarre is the expectation that bulk harvesting our precious fish stocks will deliver the wealth and prosperity we need to get our economy back on its feet. 

A radical change is required. Read more.

Matt von Sturmer has been saltwater fly fishing the Hauraki Gulf for 35 years. He now operates Salt Fly Fish guiding and charters off Waiheke Island supplemented by his solid bronze door handle business “Blacksandbronze” which he shares with his wife Carmen. The Salt Fly Fish business continues to grow as tourists and locals alike enjoy the unique thrill of the shallow water hunt that saltwater fly fishing offers.

Spending so much time on the water has enabled Matt to develop some interesting views on managing our fish and marine environment. 

Catch his interview here

Our petition is an essential part of publicising Rescue Fish. We want to reach 50,000 people, 100,000 is even better as we want all New Zealanders to know what's happening in their marine environment.

We have petition booklets available to help you collect names and encourage your family and friends to join our campaign. Please email pieter@legasea.co.nz with your name, contact number and a postal address and he will get back to you as soon as he can. 

A small effort by many of us will add up to a big outcome. Thanks in advance.

Public support is swelling for reforms to fisheries management. The New Zealand Underwater Association (NZUA) is the latest organisation to join the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea in their efforts to create abundance in our coastal fisheries. 

NZUA Board member Andy Stewart is excited. "It's time for us to get more involved and this partnership provides real opportunity for collective impact". Read more.

On July 3rd LegaSea's own Scott Macindoe received the Leo Ducker award from the New Zealand Underwater Association for his lifetime's work in the regeneration of the marine environment.

It is a prestigious award that acknowledges a person's outstanding achievements. Previous recipients are Wade Doak, Riley Hathaway and Darren Shields.

Over the years Scott has achieved many milestones while helping communities to reconnect with their marine environment. Anyone who knows Scott will attest to his ability to inspire people to treat our natural resources with respect. A well deserved award.

Scott Macindoe (left) receiving the Leo Ducker award from Andy Stewart, New Zealand Underwater Association Board member. 3 July 2020.

We are pleased the Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash has agreed with our submission to temporarily close an area of the Thames coastline. In December 2019 Fisheries New Zealand advised of an application by mana whenua to apply a temporary closure to the Te Mātā and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai to the taking of mussels, pipi and cockles. The Minister has agreed to a 2-year closure, from 10 July 2020 to July 2022.

In our submission we raised a number of issues around the failure of Fisheries New Zealand to manage and protect shellfish beds from overharvesting and external stressors such as poor land management affecting water quality. We also acknowledged mana whenua for the efforts to enhance the fisheries and marine ecosystem for the benefit of us all.

Read the full submission here