Photo by Judy Ormandy
Kia ora Friend,
We’re navigating a dynamic landscape of fisheries management with Fisheries New Zealand, tackling 20 submissions in just 21 days. The proposed changes will impact snapper, John dory, rig, and more along our coastline. However, East Coast baitfish species critical for marine ecosystems like Jack and blue mackerel have been snubbed. Join us in advocating for healthier fish stocks and a thriving community. Your voice matters - share your thoughts by July 29th at FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz and be part of shaping our marine future.
Beyond submissions, we’re challenging the effectiveness of self-reporting in fisheries and opposing the extension of marine farm permits without robust environmental assessments. Our community spirit shines through partnerships like the upcoming Kingi event and the support from Auckland City Toyota, enhancing our efforts to safeguard marine environments and promote sustainable practices. |
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Photo by Colin Gans
Look out. Speak up! 20 submissions in 21 working days. That’s the least amount of time we’ve had to respond to so many fisheries management proposals from Fisheries New Zealand. Ever.
We don’t have the resources to submit all of the proposals, but we’re hoping you’ll get involved and have your say on the fish stocks that are important to you.
Changes are proposed for snapper, John dory and rig from East Cape to Wellington, snapper on the North Island's west coast, multiple South Island species, kingfish and baitfish on the west coast of Aotearoa.
The 20 reviews include changes to commercial catch limits and non-commercial allowances for many of our favourite kai moana. More details are available on the FNZ website here. Our expert fisheries management team will be developing submissions for at least 15 of the proposals, more if we have time.
If you are keen and interested in our preliminary view of the proposals, please read them and make a submission by 29th July on the ones that matter to you. Our preliminary view for 15 of the fish stocks can be found here. If you’re not sure of what fish stock is closest to you check out this area map here.
Your submission only needs to be a short, sharp statement about your thoughts on the proposal and your aspirations for your local fishery. Don’t wait until the last minute; let’s get stuck into advocating for increased fish abundance for future generations. Our initial thoughts:
We are disappointed that some key species in the marine food web have been overlooked for this round of reviews. FNZ has only chosen to review the management of pilchards and Jack mackerel on the West Coast, ignoring all other baitfish species.
This is concerning because forage species such as blue mackerel are critically important for healthy ecosystems and are a vital food source for kahawai, kingfish, seabirds and marine mammals.
Any changes from this review will be effective from 1 October. So please, speak up before 29 July. All submissions can be sent to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz and feel free to copy us into your email FM@legasea.co.nz.
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Kingi Kingfish Five Ways Dinner
Join kingi co-founder and chef Tom Hishon for a celebration of the mighty kingfish.
At this unique, one-night-only five course dinner, Tom will shine a light on kingi's namesake, harnessing its versatility to create five unforgettable courses that showcase this fish as you've likely never experienced it before. Using a different part of the kingfish in each of the five courses, Tom will demonstrate inventive techniques combined with local and seasonal produce that showcases the versatility of the fish. We'll be in attendance to give a small talk around kingfish stocks and the current fisheries status from around the country.
You won't want to miss out on this culinary journey paying homage to the kingfish, and yes… that includes dessert!
Tickets can be purchased here |
Auckland City Toyota get behind The Kai Ika Project.
With the world’s focus on environmental responsibility, New Zealand’s unique position allows us to shape our own future. By prioritising our people and environment, we ensure a sustainable economy for generations to come. One business leading this charge in community and marine care is Auckland City Toyota, our official vehicle sponsor for The Kai Ika Project and proud LegaSea Platinum Partner.
Our fleet of Toyota HiAce refrigerated vans has recently grown, thanks to Auckland City Toyota’s generous addition of a Hilux Hybrid ute equipped with a chiller tray. This enhancement will significantly boost our efforts in recovering kaimoana, enabling us to provide more nutritious meals to families across Auckland. Auckland City Toyota, located at 101 Great North Road Grey Lynn, 8 Forge Way Mt Wellington, and 233 Great South Road Greenlane, is renowned for its exceptional customer service and commitment to providing ideal vehicle solutions. Whether you’re looking for a new Toyota, a reliable used car, vehicle servicing, or Toyota parts, their dedicated team is ready to assist. Together, we’re driving towards a more sustainable future for Auckland, one fish head at a time, with the support of Auckland City Toyota. |
Photo by Lizzie Thompson
Recreational self-reporting is meaningless
It's fashionable for commercial fishers to call for recreational fishers to report their catch, but is it really practical or useful?
The objective of catch and effort reporting by fishers is to generate a time series of catch data that is used to assess fish populations. However, international research into the accuracy of current self-reporting regimes find them to be readily manipulated and riddled with errors. And nationally, self-reported catch by commercial, Māori customary, and recreational fishers has a poor record of accounting for total fishing mortality.
There are many reasons behind the call for recreational catch reporting, not all of them are genuinely concerned about fish abundance. It is more about getting a number, irrespective of its accuracy, than changing management settings to constrain our take-home catch to a limited number of fish.
Ultimately, the calls for recreational fishers to use a phone app to report their catch is a distraction. The real task is ensuring the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries makes a reasonable allowance to cover what we might collectively catch during the year. Read more here.
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Photo by Lizzie Thompson
Locking in marine farms for another 20 years.
For years people in the Marlborough Sounds have suffered the effects of poorly sited marine farms. Our changing climate is also impacting these farms. Recently, the Government proposed a Bill to extend all existing marine farm permits for another 20 years.
Mid-July our representatives had a hearing with the Primary Production Committee to discuss our opposition to the proposed Bill.
Marine farms impact the surrounding area, changing water quality and killing life on the seabed below and around the farm. While some shellfish farming has lower impacts, finfish farming is well known to be detrimental to the environment.
There will be strong support for the Bill from the fisheries Minister, Shane Jones, and commercial interests. If the Bill proceeds we recommend that no existing shellfish farm can change to a finfish farm without widespread public input.
In our June submission, we also advocated that any resource consent for a farm must include an environmental impact report. Submission here.
The Select Committee is due to report back to Parliament by 18 July. |
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-- Noho ora mai, Chris and the LegaSea crew
LegaSea appreciates the ongoing support of our Platinum and Gold partners - |
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