Kia ora Friend,

Thank you! More than 25,000 of you took the time to write a submission opposing the Fisheries Act amendments. That's massive. And it's proof that every day New Zealanders care deeply about the health of our ocean and the future of our fisheries.

Thank you for lending your voice, for standing up, and for making it clear that the proposals from Minister Shane Jones do not have public support.

We also want to acknowledge the legends who helped amplify this cause – people like Matt Watson, Tom Hishon, Darren Shields from Wettie, and our many partners who stood alongside us and made sure our collective effort wasn't wasted. 

Hundreds of hours went into producing a comprehensive New Zealand Sport Fishing Council / LegaSea submission exposing the true nature of the government's proposals. While wrapped in fancy language, the bottom line is the proposals are offensive. That's because they aim to make commercial access to fish easier, using unverified data, while increasing risks to the fish and marine environment. 

A reform that increases the risks to ecosystem function and productivity for no tangible benefit is not a reform. The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries ought to know better. It only benefits a small number of quota owners who make money from selling our fish overseas, while Kiwis struggle to catch a fish to feed their whanau and small scale commercial fishers who are beholden to the Quota owners struggle to pay the bills.

👉🏽 Read our submission here

But despite this incredible show of resistance, we're not naïve. We fully expect Shane Jones to come up with an Amendment Bill next year. 

That means the fight isn't over – it's just getting started.

What we need is real reform, not this industry-focused crap dressed up as progress. We need ecosystem-based fisheries management that prioritises abundance, biodiversity, and public benefit. That's the backbone of our Rescue Fish solution, and with your help, we'll keep pushing for it.

Here's how you can help us keep the pressure on:

💥 Become a LegaSea Legend
$20 a month for the next year will help us gear up for 2026. 

💥 Gift a subscription
to someone who shares your values.

💥 Make a one-off donation
every dollar counts.

💥 Join us as a partner
we're welcoming new Gold and Platinum partners who want to make a real difference.

The public is with us. The science backs us. Now we need to keep the momentum rolling.

Ngā mihi nui,

The LegaSea Team

LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners:

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