Kia ora Friend,

Today it's been announced that the Fisheries Amendment Bill has been delayed until after the upcoming election. 

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, told Parliament his "much-beloved bill could use some more panel-beating" and that it will not be progressed during this Parliamentary term.

In plain language: the Bill is on Ice! 

This is your win.

It's a win for every single person who made a submission. More than 33,000 of you stood up and said no. It's a win for everyone who took the time to email their MP, who shared the campaign with friends and whānau, who turned up and made noise when it mattered. And it's a win of everyone who backed us, whether that was financially, with hours of your time, or simply with your voice. None of this happens without you. 

Scott Macindoe, President of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea Support Crew, says it straight:

"This is a significant win for the future of our fisheries. We have been adamant since the beginning that the Bill as a whole was rotten, cherry-picking wasn't going to pass, and it needs to go."

You proved that when New Zealanders who care about our moana come together, the people in power have little choice but to listen. 

LegaSea Project Lead Sam Woolford welcomed the Minister's decision to listen, recognise the Bill wasn't fit for purpose, and walk it back, calling it a statesmanly call.

But Sam was also clear that the job isn't finished:

"New Zealanders will have the perfect opportunity to officially bury the Amendment Bill at the ballot box. People need to be sure about who they're voting for. It's simple. No policy. No vote."

We don't take a moment like this for granted. The fight's not over, the pressure on our fisheries hasn't gone away, and neither have we. But today is a day to stop, catch our breath, crack open a Swordfish Mojo and say one thing clearly:

Thank you!

From all of us at LegaSea, ka pai. This one's all yours!