🇳🇿 New Zealand Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026
The most sweeping attack on New Zealand's oceans in 40 years. Protect our fish, our future, our right to a say.
⏳ Submissions close — Wednesday 29 April 2026
What's Wrong With This Bill
The Bill removes commercial minimum size limits for species like snapper, trevally, and tarakihi — meaning commercial fishers could catch and sell juvenile fish before they reproduce. A public backlash forced one backdown, but many harmful provisions remain.
Environmental DamageThe Bill opens the door to more discarding of unwanted dead fish overboard. Valuable fish that could have remained in our waters will be wasted, all to cut costs for commercial operators.
Fish WasteIf you disagree with a Ministerial decision, you will have just 20 working days to legally challenge it — down from standard timeframes. This follows High Court rulings that found the Minister must protect fish stocks. The Government's answer? Close the courthouse door.
Democracy at RiskThe Bill seeks to pass control of New Zealand's fish to a small group of commercial quota owners — taking it away from the Minister, and effectively away from the public. Our shared natural resource handed to corporate interests.
Public InterestThe Bill reduces fines for fishers who exceed their quotas. At sea, fines act as a deterrent. Weakening them removes the incentive for commercial operators to fish responsibly.
AccountabilitySustainability and environmental considerations are demoted in the decision-making framework. The Bill silos environmental protections, potentially allowing impacts on the broader ecosystem to be ignored entirely.
Future GenerationsAnyone who has spent decades out on the water knows there aren't enough fish. The Amendment Bill will not resolve the depletion issue — instead, it attempts to normalise it.
— LegaSea, April 2026
How We Got Here
March 2025
Fisheries NZ releases proposed changes to the Fisheries Act. Over 27,000 New Zealanders submit opposing the proposals. The Minister ignores them.
18 March 2026
Minister Shane Jones introduces the Fisheries Amendment Bill — the most sweeping changes to fisheries law in 40 years. Public given almost no notice before the first reading.
25 March 2026
Under massive public pressure, the PM announces the removal of commercial baby fish size limits. But dozens of other harmful provisions remain buried in 70 pages of legal language.
Late March 2026
Despite opposition from Labour, Greens, and some National and ACT MPs, a majority votes to proceed. The Bill goes to the Primary Production Select Committee.
29 April 2026 — 5pm ⏰
This is the final chance for the public to influence the Bill before it becomes law. Every submission counts. The goal is 50,000 — we need yours.
Public submissions to the Select Committee are the ONLY remaining way to stop this Bill. It takes just a few minutes. Add your voice before 5pm Wednesday 29 April.
Make a Submission →Deadline: Wednesday 29 April 2026, 5:00pm NZST
How to Make Your Submission
Visit the NZ Parliament submissions page. Search for the Fisheries Amendment Bill under the Primary Production Committee.
You're a New Zealander who cares about the ocean — a recreational fisher, a parent, a diver, a conservationist. That's enough. No expertise needed.
Tell them which parts of the Bill concern you. Even a short personal statement makes a difference. Use LegaSea's template at legasea.co.nz as a guide.
Hit submit before 5pm Wednesday 29 April. Then share this page — every extra submission weakens the Bill's path to becoming law.