There is nothing in this Bill that 
meaningfully addresses the issues 
of importance to everyday New 
Zealanders - sustainability for 
future generations, depletion of 
fish, destructive fishing methods 
impacting the environment, 
and people’s ability to fish to 
feed their family and friends.
The Minister has told us this 
is about modernising fisheries 
management, streamlining 
decision-making, and improving 
sustainability. Those are 
reasonable goals. What we 
cannot accept is a Bill that 
pursues those goals by removing 
the safeguards that ensure 
accountability. Not acceptable.
PUBLIC OUTRAGE
Upon reviewing the Bill, we were 
shocked to find new proposals that 
were not previously consulted on 
in 2025. One which immediately 
rang alarm bells was the removal 
of commercial minimum size 
limits for certain species including 
snapper, tarakihi, and trevally. 
This would mean commercial 
operators can keep and sell baby 
fish before they’ve had the chance 
to reproduce. Just plain wrong.
The public were quick to 
understand the risks and vocalise 
their concerns. Less than a 
week after the Bill’s release, 
Prime Minister, Christopher 
Luxon succumbed to public 
pressure, announcing this 
change would be scrapped at 
the Select Committee stage.
This demonstrates the 
power of public pressure. But 
the fight is far from over.
The Minister wants to shut the public 
out from having a say in changes to 
commercial catch limits for up to five 
years. We only get a say in year one.
Feature
10  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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