Skip to main content

Fisheries reform: proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act

Updates

6 August 2025 – Amendments to the Fisheries Act to be progressed

Following this consultation, the Government has agreed to progress amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996.

An amendment bill will be introduced and referred to a parliamentary select committee for people to provide feedback. It is scheduled to be passed into law in 2026.

Summary of proposed changes

Summary of the latest Government decisions on proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996 [PDF, 135 KB]

Media release

Fisheries reforms support economic growth – Beehive

21 May 2025 – FAQ added

We received a range of questions during the consultation. We've provided answers in a document to some frequently asked questions.

Questions and answers (post-consultation) on proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act [PDF, 183 KB]

12 March 2025 – Consultation extended 

The consultation has now been extended 2 more weeks. Send your feedback by 5pm on Friday 11 April 2025.

25 February 2025 – Presentation document added

Following the first session of the public online meeting on Monday 24 February 2025, the presentation document has been published.

See the presentation document

Consultation background

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

  • 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 was open from 12 February to 11 April 2025.

Media release

Consultation opens on fisheries reforms – Beehive

Online public meetings

During the consultation period, we held 4 public online meetings. At these sessions, we gave a high-level presentation on the proposals and attendants had a chance to ask questions.

Consultation document

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

Related documents

Proposed Amendments to the Fisheries Act Consultation Presentation 2025 [PDF, 482 KB]

Part 3 of the consultation document sought input into how we planned 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]

Fisheries reform work programme – Cabinet paper [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Proposed Changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 Consultation – Cabinet paper [PDF, 1 MB]

Why we proposed 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 responded to the Government’s goals and took advantage of new data and analytical tools to improve how we manage New Zealand’s fisheries.

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