Updates
8 March 2026 – Related documents published
Papers related to the proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act are now publicly available.
18 March 2026 – Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026 introduced
The Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026 has been introduced into Parliament and will be subject to further consultation through a select committee process.
The Fisheries Amendment Bill aims to modernise fisheries, ensure sustainability and remove obstacles to growth. The bill contains a suite of changes that will:
- streamline science-based decision-making
- address concerns about private and commercially sensitive footage from cameras on boats
- give fishers more options about what to do with their catch.
The bill will also:
- clarify the role of catch limits within the fisheries management system
- provide greater certainty for management decisions by specifying timeframes for judicial review
- add flexibility to how deemed value rates for Quota Management System (QMS) stocks can be set in certain circumstances.
Read the Fisheries Amendment Bill – NZ Legislation
General information about the select committee stage, the wider lawmaking process, and how to make a submission is available on Parliament's website.
How to make a submission – NZ Parliament
16 January 2026 – Alternative deemed value rates
The Cabinet paper for alternative deemed value rates and accompanying documents are now available.
Government media release
Changes proposed for deemed value of fish – Beehive
25 August 2025 – further information on the proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act
The Cabinet paper for the proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act and accompanying documents are now publicly available.
Find Cabinet papers and related documents
The summary of submissions on the proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996 has also been released.
Summary of submissions [PDF, 1.6 MB]
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
Government 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.
