Poor water quality, land-based 
run-off, and warming temperatures 
are also contributing to the decline in 
abundance. If we want our rockpools 
to recover and teem with abundance 
again, then land-based action is 
also required to protect vulnerable 
intertidal species in low-tide areas.
Given Fisheries NZ’s limited 
resources, any closure must be 
targeted specifically to low-tide 
coastal areas and marine life 
under pressure. And any closure 
must be regularly monitored and 
reviewed using the best available 
data to ensure it’s delivering 
meaningful improvements 
to restoring abundance.
A SYMPTOM OF A 
BIGGER PROBLEM
These proposals are just the latest 
in a growing list of more than 10 
applications lodged in 2026 to close 
sections of New Zealand’s coastline 
in response to depletion. They 
include temporary closures, mātaitai 
reserves and long-term closures 
under Section 11 of the Fisheries Act.
Closing parts of our coastline is not 
something to celebrate. Closures 
are a symptom of management 
failure.  Closures aren’t a solution 
to mismanagement.  For a 
nation surrounded by ocean and 
diverse coastline, it’s a blight on 
us all that our ability to gather 
kaimoana is steadily shrinking.
If we want future generations 
to enjoy abundant coastlines, we 
must address the root causes of 
depletion, not just the symptoms. 
That means reducing overall fishing 
pressure, rebuilding local abundance 
before stocks become depleted, 
and tackling the sediment and 
land-based run-off that continues 
to degrade our coastal habitats.
Submissions on the current 
proposals are due with Fisheries NZ 
by 12 June. Due to the complexity of 
the proposals, it’s taking us a while 
to understand what it all means.
LegaSea and the New Zealand 
Sport Fishing Council will be 
working with others to develop 
a comprehensive response that 
differentiates east from west and 
inshore from offshore environments.
Our aim is for coastlines so healthy 
and abundant that closures become 
the exception, not the norm.
"For a nation surrounded by 
ocean and diverse coastline, 
it’s a blight on us all that our 
ability to gather kaimoana 
is steadily shrinking."
LegaSea’s aim is for coastlines to 
become so healthy and abundant that 
closures become the exception, not 
the norm. Photo Sora Waningsinggel
Feature
42  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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