The Bill also undermines the 
core purpose and principles of 
the Act, to ensure sustainability, 
have regard to kaitiakitanga 
(guardianship), and maintain 
productive fish populations 
to provide for the foreseeable 
needs of future generations 
who will be looking for and 
needing nourishing food.
Real reform must give effect to 
the purpose and principles of the 
existing Fisheries Act so we can 
restore abundance and diversity 
in our coastal waters for the 
benefit of all New Zealanders.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Amendment Bill is now before 
the Primary Production Select 
Committee. The Select Committee 
will review our submission alongside 
thousands of others and then 
report back to Parliament by 6 
August with recommendations 
or changes to the Bill.
The next test will come at the 
second reading of the Bill later this 
year. We are relying on the majority 
of politicians to listen to the people 
and reject the Bill.  The National 
Party have promised they will listen 
to the concerns and won’t support 
the Bill at its second reading unless 
there are “significant changes.” ACT 
has made a similar commitment 
and Labour also has concerns.
The most significant steps National 
and Labour can take is to firstly 
listen to the people; secondly 
ensure the Select Committee report 
recommends the Bill is dropped; 
then reject the Fisheries Amendment 
Bill during the second reading.
Public pressure is working but the 
job isn’t done. We need to keep 
the pressure on politicians as they 
are responsible for the outcome 
of this Bill.   A simple email to your 
local MP is worthwhile, because 
for the benefit of our kids and 
theirs, the Bill must be killed.
"Real reform must give 
effect to the purpose and 
principles of the existing 
Fisheries Act so we can 
restore abundance and 
diversity in our coastal 
waters for the benefit of all."
Fishing for crayfish is now off the table in 
many areas and there is a proliferation 
of closed areas as mana whenua and 
communities try to address localised 
depletion and rebuild stocks.
Photo: Fishing in Godzone
38  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE
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