Public Feedback Invited on Fisheries Act Reforms Aimed at Boosting Industry and Sustainability

Minister Jones encourages all stakeholders, including industry participants, environmental groups, and the public, to review the proposals and submit their feedback.

The New Zealand Government has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to the Fisheries Act, described by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones as the most significant changes in decades. These reforms aim to bolster the fishing industry's productivity while safeguarding environmental sustainability.

“The Coalition Government is dedicated to the growth of the fishing sector, which contributes approximately $1.6 billion in exports annually and directly employs around 9,000 people,” said Minister Jones. “The proposed amendments, initially signaled in September 2024, aim to eliminate redundant regulations that hinder the sector's potential. By modernizing industries like fisheries, New Zealand can navigate its path back to economic prosperity.”

Key Proposals Include:

1. Streamlining Catch Limit Tools: Enhancements to the tools used for setting sustainable catch limits, considering fish stock characteristics, environmental impacts, and socio-economic factors.
2. Improved Privacy for Fishers: Strengthened privacy protections for fishers on vessels equipped with onboard cameras, alongside clearer guidelines on when and where monitoring is necessary.
3. Efficient Management of Discards: More practical regulations for handling discarded fish under the Quota Management System, particularly where monitoring through cameras or observers is in place.

These proposals are the result of discussions from a seafood industry forum convened last year. Minister Jones emphasized that sustainability remains central to fisheries management.

“There’s a real opportunity to increase export revenue through improved productivity and efficiency, rather than by increasing catch volumes,” he noted. “By leveraging better data collection, we can create an effective and efficient fisheries system while maintaining healthy, sustainable fish stocks.”

The rollout of onboard cameras has significantly enhanced the quality of fisheries data, but the Government acknowledges the need to balance this with protecting the privacy of workers at sea. The proposals aim to clarify the use of cameras and enhance data protections.

Minister Jones encourages all stakeholders, including industry participants, environmental groups, and the public, to review the proposals and submit their feedback.

How to Participate:

The consultation document and details on how to make a submission are available on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website. Submissions are open until 5 PM on 28 March 2025.

For more information and to access the consultation document, visit the MPI website.