Skip to main content

Fisheries reform: proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand wants your feedback on a package of proposals that will enhance value to fishers and better ensure sustainability. These proposed reforms will:

  • improve the responsiveness, efficiency, and certainty of decision-making
  • provide greater protection for on-board camera footage and ensure the on-board camera programme is workable
  • implement new rules for commercial fishers that set out when QMS (Quota Management System) fish must be landed and when they can be returned to the sea.

The consultation opened on 12 February and will close at 5pm on 28 March 2025.

Online public meetings

During the consultation period, we'll be holding 3 public online meetings. At these sessions, we'll give you a high-level presentation on the proposals and you'll have a chance to ask questions.

  • Session 1 – Monday 24 February 2025, 6pm to 7pm
  • Session 2 – Monday 3 March 2025, 3pm to 4pm 
  • Session 3 – Thursday 13 March 2025, 3pm to 4pm.

If you would like to attend one of the meetings, you must register.

Register for an online meeting – SurveyMonkey

We encourage you to read the consultation document before you attend.

Consultation document

Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996 [PDF, 2.4 MB]

Related document: supplementary information

Part 3 of the consultation document seeks input into how we plan to implement new rules for commercial fishers that set out when QMS species must be landed and when they can be returned to the sea. Further detail on one of the proposals is in the supplementary information document.

Proposed adjustments to Total Allowable Catch settings for stocks where a current landing exception is removed [PDF, 585 KB]

Why we're making these changes

The Government has made commitments to lift New Zealand's productivity and economic growth – increasing opportunities and prosperity for all New Zealanders, including the seafood sector.

We now have access to better quality and more frequent data through electronic reporting by fishers and verification of some of this data by onboard cameras and fisheries observers.

The proposed changes respond to the Government’s goals and take advantage of new data and analytical tools to improve how we manage New Zealand’s fisheries.

Making your submission

We must get your feedback by 5pm on Friday 28 March 2025. We'd prefer you used our online survey form but you can also email or post a submission. 

Online submission form – SurveyMonkey

Email

Email your submissions to fish.reform@mpi.govt.nz

Post

Post your written submission to:

Fisheries Policy Team
Policy and Trade Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526 Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include in your email and postal submission

Make sure you tell us:

  • the title of the consultation document ['Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996']
  • your name and title
  • your organisation's name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MPI business units