Winning photo from 2024 Photo Comp, by Andy Belcher |
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Kia ora Friend,
With the announcement of this year's LegaSea Photo Competition winners (see below), we thought it would be the ideal time to acknowledge a former winner, Andy Belcher, who passed away recently.
Andy was an exceptional, internationally renowned, wildlife photographer who generously shared many of his images with LegaSea over the years. His photos captured the beauty, drama and life of our oceans in a way that few people can, helping others see and appreciate the natural world a little more clearly. We are so lucky to be able to use his beautiful underwater photographs to show why our marine environment is worth fighting for.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. |
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The Fisheries Amendment Bill hits Parliament |
Today Minister Jones has released the most sweeping changes to fisheries legislation since the quota system was introduced. We have limited time to analyse the Fisheries Amendment Bill before your local MP gets to vote in support or against it. If you were one of the 27,000 Kiwis who submitted on last year's proposals, it's clear your concerns have been ignored. Now you need to talk to your MP and tell them that the changes are unacceptable. Fish come first. Then we must prioritise feeding Kiwis, before exports.
We haven't had time to go through all the details, but we wanted to give you a heads-up that the Bill has landed. With your support we have been pushing back against the outrageous proposals since February last year. Now, we only have one more chance to crush this Bill before the election. By then, we will know which MPs have supported more risky fishing, and who has stood up for more fish in the water, for us and our kids. Standby as we do our analysis and work out what's next.
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Kiwis aren't buying the government's fisheries reform package |
Few things unite Kiwis like the ocean. Our love of being out on or under the water runs deep. The Auckland Boatshow in early March showcased this, where thousands turned out to support the marine businesses that make our time on the water possible.
Thanks to NZ Marine, the LegaSea team were lucky enough to host a stand at the show and talk with keen ocean-goers about issues facing our coastal fisheries.
Among the boats, gear and innovation, one conversation kept surfacing; deep public concern about the Government's proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act - the single biggest threat to face our fisheries in decades. Why? Because if pushed through, the amendments will impact our ability to access a healthy marine environment and fish to feed our whanau.
Read the article here. |
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⛔ What are the next steps for the government's reforms?
An Amendment Bill has been released. We expect the Bill will go before a Select Committee early this year. The public will only get to have a say at the Select Committee stage. Our reality – the proposed changes could be locked into legislation by the end of 2026. |
⛔ Why should the public be able to challenge fisheries decisions at all?
Because the fisheries resource belongs to all New Zealanders. Judicial review is a fundamental part of the decision-making process, available to all New Zealanders. It allows for expert, independent oversight by judges who can review decisions and how they compare to the law. It's a basic accountability mechanism that ensures decisions follow the law and properly consider sustainability and environmental impacts. |
⛔ What would real reform look like?
More fish in the water. Real reform is only possible if adequate governance and management structures are put in place. To get there we need to reform the whole Quota Management System. It is nearly 40 years old and still permits destructive fishing methods and overfishing.
The government must support commercial fishers to transition away from bottom trawling inshore, to using more selective fishing techniques. Alternatives include longlining, trapping, hand-gathering shellfish and even spearfishing for species such as kingfish.
We must put the fish first. Restoring abundance will mean all Kiwis, including small-scale commercial fishers, benefit from more fish in the water. |
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Photo Competition winners announced! |
The LegaSea Photo Competition has wrapped for another year and once again, the entries delivered.
Across seven categories, with the support of seven incredible partners, we saw an outstanding range of submissions from all around Aotearoa. From unforgettable underwater moments to breathtaking coastal scenes, and plates of kaimoana shared with friends and whānau, this year's photos captured everything we love about our ocean and why it matters. A huge congratulations to our overall winner, Finn Stevenson, for an exceptional, moody shot of a snapper caught up close and personal.
We'd also like to give a big shoutout to all of our category winners and runners-up. The quality this year was outstanding, and narrowing it down was no easy task.
Overall winner - Sponsored by NZ Fishing News Finn Stevenson |
Runners up Tracy Gay (left) and Judy Ormandey (right) |
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Runners up Finn Stevenson (left) and Judy Ormandey (right) |
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Marine Life in Their Natural Environment winner - Sponsored by Marine Deals Jess Carter |
Runners up Stephanie Kirk (left) and Finn Stevenson (right) |
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Collecting and Catching Kaimoana winner - Sponsored by Okuma Ben Fransham |
Runners up Kathryn McLachlan (left) and Romey van Ravenstein (right) |
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Preparing, Cooking, and Eating Kaimoana winner - Sponsored by Cobb Grill Stepanie Kirk |
Runners up Josh Carmine (left) and Tracy Gay (right) |
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Things That Ain't Right in Our Oceans winner - Sponsored by LegaSea Michaela Insley |
Runners up Alex Muir (left) and Sora Waningsinggel (right) |
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Congratulations to all the winners and a massive thanks to everyone that entered! |
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🎏 Catch of the Day "Fisheries reform should put more fish in the water, not make it easier to explain why there are fewer." |
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Become a LegaSea Works Partner and win! |
Healthy oceans don't happen by accident.
Our fisheries have been hammered for decades. Mismanagement and destructive fishing methods have taken a heavy toll. But the tide is turning. With an election ahead, how our fisheries are managed is shaping up to be an election issue - and that's a good thing.
However, driving change takes time and money. As a not-for-profit, we need your backing. We're looking for 100 organisations that care about fishing, diving and the ocean to step up as LegaSea Works Partners and help restore abundance to our coastal waters.
Become a Works Partner here.
To make it interesting, we've got a proper prize on the line.
Our good mate Matt Watson has come to the party with a Swordfish Mojo Icey Tek chilly bin, loaded with four boxes of Swordfish Mojo beer. A cold one that gives back, with a portion of every sale supporting LegaSea.
How to enter?
Tag a mate on our Facebook or Instagram post whose business cares about the ocean, fishing, boating, or the future of our fisheries. If you or the business you tag signs up as a LegaSea Works Partner before 5pm Monday 31 March, you're both in the draw.
Winner announced shortly after. 18+ only.
And if that's not enough, we've also got a limited edition print up for grabs: I fish. I care. I vote. We are also excited to announce our brand new Works Partners!
Bay of Islands Marina, MTF finance – Napier, Home & Decor Depot Ltd, Kelco Products Ltd, Screaming Reels, Seay Earthmovers Ltd, Southern Ventures, Roger Dickie NZ Ltd, Beyond Compliance, Speed Queen Laundry Systems, Chaytor Fences, Fluker Surveying, Aquatic Environmental, Dive Zone Whitianga, Provision Technologies, Prime Plumbing & Gas Fitting, Crows Nest Apartments.
Welcome to the team, and thanks for your support! |
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A HUGE thank you to Whitehaven Wine for raising $20,000 through the 100% Kōparepare campaign, where 100% of online order sales are donated to LegaSea!
Whitehaven are a loyal and consistent sponsor and has now donated over $200,000 to LegaSea to help restore the health and abundance of our marine environment. Thanks guys.
And thank you to everyone who made an order over the campaign. We hope you are enjoying the wine. It's a lovely drop. |
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In the news... Ngāi Tahu extends pause on Bluff oyster harvest into 2026 over fishery concerns
A major iwi-owned seafood supplier is extending its pause on Bluff oyster harvests into 2026 amid ongoing concerns about their fishery's long-term sustainability and resilience. Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation chief executive Todd Moyle said, despite its seafood subsidiary choosing not to harvest any tio / Bluff oysters in 2025, concerns around their fishery's debilitated state still persisted.
Tom Rose, NZHerald, March 2026 |
Hooked on Safety
A spate of drownings has prompted a new initiative to keep fishers safe around the water. A fisherman who survived being swept into the sea at Papanui Point on Waikato's west coast has spoken out as part of a new initiative from the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council to help raise awareness of the dangers of people fishing alone. Dive Pacific, March 2026 |
I fish. I care. I vote.
For many ocean loving, fish-mad Kiwis, winning Lotto looks like a home near the beach, a boat on the trailer, and a chilly bin of kaimoana to share with family and friends. That dream is under threat. LegaSea, Fishing in Godzone, March 2026 |
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LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners: |
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