Kia ora Friend,
In case you missed it, there's a Fisheries Amendment Bill (scam) working its way through the system right now, and while it might sound technical, we aim to break it down into tangible, understandable bites for you.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be unpacking key parts of it, starting with deemed value penalties. On paper, deemed values are meant to act as a deterrent when commercial fishers exceed their legal catch limits. But now the Government is proposing to reduce those penalties. When a fine becomes cheap enough, it stops changing behaviour and starts blending into the balance sheet. That change matters a lot, as it affects the pressure on already stressed inshore species, the fairness of the system for small-scale operators, and whether public resources are being managed in the public interest. Alongside that, we've got updates on intertidal zone restrictions, the economic value of recreational fishing, and some very welcome news on seabed mining off the South Taranaki coast.
There's a lot happening but as always, we'll keep breaking it down and making sure you're across everything. After all, we fish, we care and we vote. |
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A fine is meant to change behaviour. |
At sea, that principle is being abandoned.
Fines exist for a reason. They create a consequence. But at sea, that basic principle is being turned on its head to normalise commercial fishers catching more fish than the legal catch limit.
Earlier this year, the government announced they would change the Fisheries Act so they could reduce deemed value penalties, the financial deterrent that apply when commercial fishers exceed their legal catch limits. But when a penalty becomes cheap enough, it stops being a deterrent and starts becoming just another cost of doing business.
If this proposal is approved by the Coalition, it will favour quota-owning corporates while placing more pressure on small-scale inshore fishers and the fishery itself. It weakens protections for shared fish species such as snapper and kingfish, deepens inequities, and risks pushing struggling operators toward desperate choices. That is not responsible fisheries management and it is most definitely not in the public interest.
Read our full article here to learn more about what's at stake. |
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Quick Facts about Deemed Value Penalties |
🔥 What are deemed value penalties?
Deemed value penalties are financial penalties commercial fishers are required to pay when they catch more fish than they are legally allowed. Commercial fishers must acquire Annual Catch Entitlements (ACE) to cover the fish they catch. If they catch more fish than they have ACE, they must buy more ACE. If they cannot source enough ACE, they are invoiced a set amount, per kilogram, for the extra fish. They can keep and sell the extra fish they land. |
🔥 Why do deemed value penalties exist?
Deemed value penalties are meant to work like a fine, a financial incentive that encourages fishers to stay within lawful catch limits. The penalty is supposed to be high enough to encourage responsible fishing, but low enough to discourage dumping of unwanted catch overboard. |
🔥 Does the money from deemed value penalties get reinvested into managing our fisheries? No. The money collected from deemed value penalties goes into the Government's Consolidated Fund. There is no requirement that deemed value revenue is reinvested into fisheries management expenses such as enforcement, monitoring, stock assessments and fisheries science. |
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What's happening with our intertidal zones? |
Being able to step out the door with a bucket and gather pipis used to be one of the simple joys of living near the coast. For many of us around the country that experience is now a distant memory.
The abundance of critters within our rocky intertidal zones have been steadily declining, largely due to overharvesting of species not adequately protected under current regulations. The rules are outdated and the law hasn't kept pace with changing harvesting habits.
Recently, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries approved Ngāti Manuhiri's application for a 2-year temporary closure on harvesting seaweed, shellfish, molluscs, and other invertebrate species within Omaha Bay, Kaway Bay and Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
Closures signal a much deeper issue at hand. They signal a failure of adequate management.
Click here to read more about what management solutions are required to restore our coastal critters. |
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🎏 Catch of the Day "If the Fisheries Act reform makes it harder for the public to challenge decisions, then the government is also making it harder to correct mistakes." |
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Fast Track panel rejects seabed mining |
An independent panel has announced a draft decision rejecting the Trans-Tasman Resources' seabed mining proposal. A plan that would have scraped up to 50 million tonnes of seabed material a year in search of vanadium, for up to 30 years. That is an extraordinary volume of disturbance in a marine environment that supports fisheries, marine mammals and coastal communities. Once you start vacuuming the seafloor at that scale, there is no easy undo button. The panel's decision makes absolute sense and thankfully prioritises the health of our marine ecosystems. It recognises that short-term extraction should not trump long-term ocean health, especially in areas already under pressure.
LegaSea is proud to be aligned with KASM, the Kiwis Against Seabed Mining movement, alongside iwi, fishers, environmental groups and everyday New Zealanders who have stood firm for years to protect this coastline. It has taken persistence, science, legal action and public pressure to get here. The ocean is not a sacrifice zone; it's critical for all life on this planet.
There is still more to do, and the final process isn't over, but this news shows that using evidence based arguments can be effective in pushing back against high-risk, industrial-scale exploitation. Our fish. Our future. |
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Flat whites, for fishing rights! |
We've launched something new. The LegaSea Coffee Cart is officially up and running, serving flat whites for fishing rights. It does exactly what you'd expect. Makes a solid coffee and raises money to back the work we're doing to restore abundance to our fisheries.
We took it out for its first run at Sail GP over the weekend, unlike the black boat, it was a great start. Plenty of coffees poured, plenty of good conversations had, and plenty of support from people who care about the future of fishing in this country.
This isn't about jumping on a trend. It's about creating another practical way to fund the fight for more fish in the water, less waste and destructive fishing, and fair access for everyday New Zealanders who just want to head out and catch a feed.
Next up we'll be at the Auckland Boat Show from 5-7 March, and the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival as part of Moana Auckland. If you're there, come and grab a coffee and have a yarn with the team.
Massive thanks to Barkers, Havana Coffee Roasters and Boring Oat Milk for backing the cart and helping us get it off the ground. Good businesses supporting a better fishing future.
We'll be taking the cart to more events around the country as we go. If you'd like to see the LegaSea Coffee Cart at your club day, comp or event, flick Matt an email at matt@legasea.co.nz.
Flat Whites for Fishing Rights. Not a bad way to support the cause. |
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Last Call for FishCare Summer Photo Comp entries |
Photo by Alex Stammers, from 2025 competition
There's just a few days left to enter the LegaSea FishCare Summer Photo Competition. This is your last chance to get your shots in before entries close on 28 February. Submit now and be in to win some incredible prizes while shining a light on the things we love (and the things we need to fix) about our oceans.
From spectacular coastal landscapes to jaw-dropping underwater moments, fishing action, kaimoana cooking scenes, and even the things that aren't right in our oceans, we're celebrating all facets of our marine world. Every photo you enter will also help build a powerful image library that supports LegaSea's work all year round - we'll be using the best shots in newsletters, social channels, campaign materials and more. Here's what's up for grabs across the six competition categories: -
Landscape & Coastal Shots sponsored by Auckland Hydro Seeding — portable JBL PartyBox Encore Essential speaker.
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Underwater Photos sponsored by New Zealand Underwater — a Sealife SportDiver S housing (worth over $500).
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Marine Life in Their Natural Environment sponsored by Marine Deals — a Shimano Vanford 2500 HG Lunamis S86ML softbait spin combo (worth over $1000).
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Collecting & Catching Kaimoana sponsored by Okuma — Okuma Ceymar HD baitfeeder and Tournament Concept X 702 rod combo (worth $379).
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Preparing, Cooking & Eating Kaimoana sponsored by Cobb Grills — a COBB black gas grill (worth $419).
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Things That Ain't Right in Our Oceans sponsored by LegaSea — a prize pack worth over $300 including kingi board, LegaSea X Barkers tee, sunglasses and more.
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And on top of all that, the overall winner - judged by New Zealand Fishing News - receives a one-year print subscription and publication in their April edition.
Whether you're a seasoned shooter or just love capturing coastal life with your phone, now's the moment to dive in. You can enter as many photos as you like across any categories that fit.
Get your final entries in before midnight on 28 February via the competition page. |
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Celebrating a Real Legend |
Whenever LegaSea needs printed collateral (and we need a lot!), our first call is to our wonderful Gold Partner, Mark Swinburne from PMA Leisure. Mark consistently delivers expert advice, prompt service, high-quality results, and competitive pricing. He's been working alongside LegaSea for almost 10 years and has become a trusted, reliable print partner - and an all-round top bloke.
What's more, for every client who mentions LegaSea, Mark provides us with a rebate, making his support even more meaningful.
If you've got print work coming up, give Mark a call on 021 767 403 or flick him an email at mark@pma.kiwi — he'll take great care of you.
Thanks, Mark! |
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Wettie 'WEEKEND SPEARFISHERMAN' T Shirt |
When the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries dismisses you as a 'weekend spearfisherman', even though you are a multiple national champion and owner of one of NZ's biggest spearfishing companies, what's the best way to respond? We reckon Darren Shields (owner of Wettie and champion spearfisherman) has nailed it with the release of these t-shirts!
Not only does it stick it to the man, they look great, only cost $28, and $3 from every purchase is donated to LegaSea. Nicely done Darren!
Get you t-shirt from here. |
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In the news...
Beautiful bounty: Kai Ika's lasting legacy
Since its inception in 2022, LegaSea's Kai Ika Project in Wellington has been sharing fish heads, frames and offal that would otherwise have gone to waste, with the community. In its first year, the team repurposed over 5,000gk of rangatira kai (chiefs' food); in 2025, that amount increased to 26,000kg of fish heads and frames shared with local families.
Dive Pacific, February 2026 |
Minister defends bottom trawling, despite poll showing majority of NZers want it banned
A new poll shows a majority of New Zealanders want the fishing method of bottom trawling banned, as New Zealand is the last country operating a bottom trawling fleet in the high seas of the South Pacific. But the Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said it was too valuable an industry for the country to get rid of, and claims that Greenpeace - who is leading calls for a ban - was trying to trying to terminate the New Zealand fishing industry in the Pacific.
RNZ, February 2026 |
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LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners: |
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