Kia ora Friend,

Across the country, something's fishy.

The Fisheries Amendment Bill has just gone to Parliament and will have its first reading in the next few days. In simple terms - it's bad news for us, our kids, our fish and the environment. 

We have a small window of time to "Kill the Bill". 

This Bill is basically an industry wishlist. 

1. There will be no minimum size limits for iconic species such as snapper and trevally if they are caught trawling, seining or in a set net; and 
2. Commercial fishers will be allowed to dump and discard anything they can't sell. 
3. It will be illegal for the public to access onboard camera footage and it will be almost impossible for Ministerial decisions to be challenged by the public in court.

These aren't minor tweaks. These proposals reduce accountability and open the door to more waste, more fish being discarded at sea, and fewer fish left in the water.

This Bill is being driven by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones and the Coalition government. 

The Bill was posted online last Thursday, and is currently 9th on the parliamentary list. This means it could pass its first reading this week! 

We need your help to Kill the Bill. The best way to make this happen is to write to your local MP and the Prime Minister. Tell them to vote against the Bill.

Write your own message or to make it easier, we have given you a few "starters" to put into an email and the contact details to all the electorate MPs.

Click here to get started.

We cannot remain silent. The Bill will have significant impacts for years to come. The more New Zealanders who speak up now, the harder this becomes to ignore.

What's so offensive about the Fisheries Amendment Bill?

75% of New Zealanders want a transition away from destructive fishing techniques such as bottom trawling, and 78% support feeding Kiwis first. This legislation will do neither. 

We never asked the government to remove the commercial minimum size limit for snapper and other iconic species, or to legalise dumping and discarding unwanted catch. Legalising this behaviour is not resolving the waste issue. That's just naive. 

70% of New Zealanders want reform to ensure there are more fish in the water. We did not ask to hand control of our fisheries over to the very people who want to increase exports. 

For decades, the fishing industry has largely self-reported its catch. Onboard cameras have since exposed the underreporting of dolphins and seabirds, and excess fishing. Now, the Bill proposes to exclude public access to that footage, removing one of the only clear windows the public has into what's actually happening at sea.

By reducing public consultation and visibility this Billis privatisation by stealth. 

New Zealanders deserve abundant fish stocks, a healthy ocean, and fair access to our shared resources.

The government is pushing this quickly and quietly.

If you're a local business, this is a critical time to step in. We need money to fend off these ongoing attempts to privatise our natural resources. 

We need 100 new LegaSea Works Partners prepared to invest $500 in a healthier coastal fishery. Your support helps build the critical capability we need to hold decision-makers accountable and fight for better outcomes. Do it for your kids and grandkids.

Don't forget, the 31st March is also the end of the financial year. A LegaSea sponsorship is a legitimate taxable expense. So reduce your tax bill and help us Kill the Bill at the same time!

Sign up here!

If a partnership isn't the right fit, a donation goes a long way. Every bit helps, the seafood industry has deep pockets and we're going to need a solid war chest.

Let's make some noise. 

I Fish. I Care. I Vote.

How to help

We can only do our job with the support of people like you. If you would like to do more, please consider one of the following:

➔ Donate to LegaSea

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