This Government bill amends the Fisheries Act 1996, seeking to grow the value of seafood sector exports while continuing to ensure sustainability. It is still before Parliament.
A government bill that amends the Fisheries Act 1996, with the stated aim of growing the value of New Zealand's seafood exports while maintaining sustainable fish stocks. It covers a range of commercial fishing rules, including how unwanted catch is handled and the use of on-board cameras that monitor fishing vessels. The government says the changes modernise a decades-old system, and the bill has been one of the more contested fisheries reforms.
It was introduced by Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. An early proposal to remove most minimum legal fish-size limits for commercial fishers drew strong public backlash and was not pursued. Supporters, including much of the commercial seafood sector, say it would lift export earnings and cut red tape; critics — including recreational fishing and conservation groups such as LegaSea, and the Green Party — say it tilts the rules toward commercial interests and could harm sustainability.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.