Kia ora Friend,
It's been a full-on period in the world of fisheries management, with some big moments worth acknowledging and some serious warning signs we can't ignore.
In this update, we cover a genuine win for marlin, with public pressure helping keep them out of the commercial system. But we also dig into the dumping footage that's rightly shaken Kiwis, and what it tells us about the reality of indiscriminate fishing methods and a system that still allows blatant waste at sea. There's more coming. Nineteen reef species are still in the firing line, and the Fisheries Reform is looming, a move that puts profits over the best interests of the fish and the public. |
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Last week the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, announced he will not be proceeding with proposals to allow the commercial sale of marlin. We stand by for the formal statement to confirm this decision, and the follow-up process to establish the Billfish Accord proposed by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council in November.
This outcome couldn't have happened without you and the many others who decided to stand up and be heard. A special thanks to; -
The One Ocean Protest that happened at an opportune time. The power of social media, driven by so many passionate influencers and industry organisations finding a common platform. Thank you to Ben Chissel, Nicky Wilson, Injun Park, Scott Malcon - you guys rock.
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Tackle companies including Daiwa, Okuma and Shimano for displaying your support in protecting our marlin. As well as fish-fluencers, Ben Brown, Kurt Eklund, Tony Orton, Matt Watson and many more who helped spread the word.
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The more than 22,000 people who stepped up and used the LegaSea online submission tool - so many powerful personal statements that could not be ignored.
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The New Zealand Sport Fishing Club affiliated clubs and their leadership teams. What a tremendous and immediate response. Generous offers of support, making sure their members, sponsors and communities were aware of what was at stake.
Minister Jones has made a good decision right when we needed some hope.
Now, we wait for confirmation that the proposal to commercialise 19 species of reef fish has also been scrapped. Those species are vulnerable enough without allowing trawlers to land more of them.
Right now we'll take the marlin decision as a win and then turn our attention to what's next – serious changes to the Fisheries Act. We're depending on you to make your voice heard and stay involved. Thanks for being onboard and engaged. It's better together. |
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A viral video filmed by Darren Shields, founder of Wettie, shows a disturbing scene of hundreds of lifeless snapper, boarfish and various other species drifting in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf.
These mass mortalities are no accident. While Fisheries NZ is yet to confirm the cause, all signs indicate that this is likely a result of a bottom trawler or bulk harvester dumping their unwanted catch overboard. Dumping dead or dying fish species that are unwanted is the inevitable outcome of using fishing methods that catch whatever is in their path. Fish that should still be swimming in our oceans are instead treated as collateral damage, year after year. The real culprits are the broken Quota Management System and officials' indifference to depletion caused by the ongoing use of indiscriminate fishing methods. As long as this system is in place, mass dumpings like the one witnessed by Darren won't be an anomaly. Instead of moving with the times and driving innovation, selectivity and stewardship, the officials are committed to business as usual. It seems it's easier to turn a blind eye to any ecological cost.
Worse still, Fisheries NZ has signaled their intention to proceed with proposed changes to allow more dead fish to be dumped and wasted at sea.
If we are serious about restoring our coastal fisheries we must transition away from indiscriminate fishing methods for the benefit of our oceans, our communities and future generations.
Are our politicians brave enough to reject proposals that entrench the status quo - and bold enough to take the necessary steps towards restoring abundance and biodiversity in our moana? Only time will tell. |
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East coast crayfish under review |
Fisheries New Zealand are now reviewing the catch limits for the crayfish fishery, CRA 3, along the North Island's east coast from East Cape to the Wairoa River. Sustained fishing pressure and high catch levels have reduced crayfish abundance, with recent extreme weather including heatwaves and cyclones adding further stress on the ecosystem and reinforcing the need for precautionary management.
This review is overdue and a critical opportunity to support a rebuild of crayfish populations. Fisheries NZ's assessments of crayfish abundance in CRA 3 indicate the stock is below sustainable levels and that overfishing is occurring.
We support fisheries management that puts the fish first. The Minister must make a precautionary reduction to the catch limit. He must also revoke the concession that permits commercial fishers to land male rock lobster with a 52 mm and 53 mm tail-width, smaller than the recreational minimum legal size.
Make your voice heard. Use our short submission form to have your say on the proposals.
Submissions close at 5pm on 28 January 2026. |
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The FishCare Summer Photo Comp |
Photo by Warwick Powrie
Entries are still open for the annual 2025/26 FishCare Summer Photo Competition! We invite any ocean enthusiasts to showcase their photography skills and help raise awareness about the myriad of issues facing our marine environment. With six exciting categories including underwater shots, marine life in their natural environment, and the challenges threatening marine life - you have a chance to win impressive prizes and be featured globally. By participating, you'll support FishCare's mission to educate fishers on sustainable practices. So dive in, capture the beauty and reality of our oceans, and make a splash on the world stage!
Click here to enter or to find out more. |
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A big swim to stop bottom trawling |
It's great to see Live Ocean getting behind the battle to stop bottom trawling with the Swim 4 the Ocean - Jono Ridler's 1000 mile swim from North Cape to Wellington. Jono and Live Ocean are undertaking this incredible feat to raise awareness of the damage being done every day by bottom trawling.
We wish Jono the best of luck for his big swim.
You can follow his progress here. |
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Wettie - Rock solid partners |
We'd like to give a shout out to one of our amazing partners - Wettie.
Wettie aren't just about selling dive gear, they're about making sure there's something left to see when you're in the water.
Darren Shields and his crew are rock-solid partners of LegaSea, backing our work, speaking up for a healthier marine environment, and pushing for more fish in the water. They're the kind of people who don't just nod along in agreement - they roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
They've even turned their snorkel kits into a win–win. Grab one from Wettie and the proceeds come straight to LegaSea, helping us keep the pressure on those in charge of our fisheries management. If you want great gear from people who care as much about the ocean as you do, head to wettie.co.nz. Every purchase is another step towards restoring our coastal fisheries and these guys are in it for the long haul. --
If you would like to discuss becoming a LegaSea Partner, please contact us on sponsor@legasea.co.nz |
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Spearfisher Darren Shields urges Shane Jones to end bottom trawling
New Zealand spearfishing champion Darren Shields is urging Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones to ban bottom-trawl fishing, believing it is setting the country up for more collapsed fisheries like two already ruined in Northland. Sarah Curtis, NZ Herald, January 2026 |
We cannot trawl our way to abundance
Year after year, heavily weighted nets are dragged across the seafloor crushing marine life, destroying important habitats and creating sizable waste. Bottom trawling is now recognised as one of the three highest ranking man-made threats to New Zealand marine habitats. LegaSea, Fishing in Godzone, January 2025 |
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LegaSea is proudly supported by its Gold and Platinum partners: |
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