LegaSea

Photo by Blair James

Kia ora Friend,

It's been a whirlwind year so far! We've faced some seriously counterproductive decisions from Fisheries NZ, watched the government push for fast-tracking sand and seabed mining, and to top it off, dealt with a flood of mushy-fleshed and zombie fish — keeping things more than interesting.

As the days grow warmer and longer, and Labour Weekend approaches, we can almost hear the waves and feel the fish biting. Like you, we're excited to get back out on the water and create some unforgettable memories this summer.

But before you dust off the rods and fuel up the boat, take a moment to check out our safety checklist. A quick review could save you from a frustrating or preventable mishap on your family's first trip out. Let's make sure everything's in perfect shape to keep your family safe this season!

A big thanks to everyone who answered the call

Last week, we asked for your support and your time, and you delivered.

It was incredible to see so many donations come through, over 1210 letters sent to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Your voices were clear and sincere: Stop the nonsense. Feed Kiwis first.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our collective cause of more fish in the water.

But we must stress that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The fight to protect our inshore fisheries is far from over, and we're glad you've chosen to stay informed, to improve the protection of our marine environment.

Let's keep the momentum going. Together, we can make a real difference in safeguarding our oceans for future generations.

Photo by Mark Nissen

Hauraki Express now a Gold Partner

We want to welcome another new Gold Partner, a long-time supporter!

Hauraki Express is an Auckland-based fishing charter skippered by George Bourke and managed as a family operation by his Dad, Peter and brother-in-law, Stuart. They have always been incredibly supportive of the LegaSea mission and have frequently taken us out when we needed to capture content or get some work done on the Hauraki Gulf.

They love marine conservation and are passionate about protecting the well-being of our fish and marine ecosystems. They were also one of the first charter boats to adopt our Charter Boat Code of Conduct for our FishCare programme, where they help educate the recreational fishers they take out on the water about best practices.

Thanks to the Hauraki Express team for all the support over the years, and welcome to the ever-growing list of Gold Partners fighting for positive change in our inshore fisheries.

Bait Fish - Small fish, mighty ecosystem

Photo by Chris Carter

Baitfish are the unsung heroes of our marine world. They're the main course for marine mammals, seabirds, and big predatory fish like kahawai, kingfish, and snapper. But here's the catch - literally. Around New Zealand, these little guys are being bulk-harvested using indiscriminate fishing methods. In some areas, commercial catch limits are set so high that fishers can't even meet them. That just seems like sheer madness to us.

LegaSea has been hearing from folks up and down the coast - from North Cape to East Cape and beyond - that this mass removal of baitfish is throwing the whole ecosystem into a tailspin. Non-commercial fishers are spotting fewer work-ups (those thrilling feeding frenzies we all love).

So we've put together a survey, and we want you to share your experiences on the water. Have you noticed any changes out there? Let us know! Take the survey here.

Safety and Personal Wellbeing

Photo by Alex Wallace

At LegaSea, we believe that a great fishing trip starts with being prepared and looking out for each other - this is exactly what Principle Five of our FishCare programme is all about. So, before you head out, let's run through some crucial tips to make sure your adventures are not only fun but safe too. You can read these safety tips here.

Remember, as the skipper, you're responsible for your boat's and passengers' safety. You can be prosecuted for unsafe boating, so it's good to just take the time to do it right. Consider taking an online Day Skipper course with Coastguard Boating Education to boost your confidence and knowledge.

Handy Resources to Keep You in the Know

• Water Safety New Zealand

• Maritime New Zealand Safety Guidelines

• New Zealand MetService Weather Forecasts

• Coastguard New Zealand VHF Channels