The proposed Fisheries Act Amendment Bill was announced yesterday, and the news isn’t good for our oceans, fish stocks, or sustainable fishing.
Forest & Bird is incredibly disappointed that the issues highlighted in the previous consultation are still in the Amendment Bill – with new ones added.
The removal of minimum catch size requirements for species including blue cod and snapper in the Commercial Regulations, for example, means commercial fishers can catch undersized fish, without repercussions.
“This is a disaster for marine ecosystems and fish stocks that are already in trouble,” says Chelsea McGaw, Forest & Bird’s marine lead. “Not only have our concerns been dismissed, but even more worrying and destructive changes are being proposed, which may lead to the extinction of some species.
“This amendment bill is the largest change to fisheries legislation since the quota system was introduced in 1986 – and is being touted as ‘modernising’ the fishing industry.
“But these changes are not a move to the modern, ecosystem-based fisheries management Fisheries New Zealand say they are supportive of.
“Instead, the proposed changes mean increased bycatch, less accountability and transparency. The changes put a greater focus on short-term economic and export benefits in a time that requires sustainable fishing methods.
“It’s as if the Minister has looked through all the good things in the Act and wiped them out entirely. It seeks to overturn important court decisions that have upheld sustainable fishing – for example Forest & Bird’s 2024 Tarakihi win in the Supreme Court.”
Forest & Bird’s Hauraki Gulf Coordinator, Bianca Ranson adds, “In the Hauraki Gulf, where the seafloor is already decimated by bottom trawling, removing size limits isn't solving waste, it’s legalising the plunder of our nurseries.
“If we allow the indiscriminate fishing of juvenile fish the long-term mauri of Tīkapa Moana will be severely impacted.
“Forest & Bird is clear – sustainable fishing methods must be prioritised when we are facing the twin biodiversity and climate crises. The Minister is doing the opposite."
Submissions have not yet opened to the public, but these changes will impact all Kiwis. Forest & Bird will be putting together a submission guide on the Fisheries Act Amendment Bill as soon as possible to keep members and supporters informed.
With recommendations in Forest & Bird’s substantial 2025 submission being ignored – along with submissions from thousands of other New Zealanders who responded to the Fisheries Act consultation last year – everyone’s support will be important to stop this amendment bill from reaching select committee and becoming law.
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Forest and Bird
Forest and Bird