Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
EDS Urges MPs To Scrap The Fisheries Amendment Bill
The Environmental Defence Society today lodged a substantive submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill. The Bill includes a wide range of changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 including to catch limit settings, discards, deemed value rates, availability of camera recordings and the time limit for lodging judicial review applications.
“It’s now 40 years since the quota management system was introduced,” said EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart.
“It’s based on outdated 1980s thinking, is no longer fit-for-purpose and requires substantive reform.
“The Fisheries Amendment Bill does little to address the deep-seated problems in the system which EDS identified in its 2018 report ‘Voices from the Sea’.
“Instead it seeks to reduce checks and balances on decision-making, bypass environmental matters, and restrict the public’s ability to hold the Minister of Fisheries to account.
“In particular, the Bill excludes consideration of sustainability and environmental principles when setting the total allowable catch, but allows social, cultural and economic factors to be taken into account.
“This will increase risk to our fish stocks, and enable ongoing environmental degradation from fishing activities, including trawling.
“This is highly concerning when our fish stocks are facing rapidly warming oceans, frequent marine heatwaves and increasing severe weather events. Without robust, precautionary management we are likely to see more stock collapses and a declining industry.
“EDS sees so little merit in the Bill that we are asking MPs to withdraw it or vote it down at the second reading.
“In its place, the government should establish an independent fisheries inquiry tasked with developing an integrated reform package that will secure our fisheries for the future,” concluded Ms Peart.
EDS webinar: What’s wrong with the Fisheries Amendment Bill
Key author of EDS’s submission, EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart, will highlight key problems with the Bill and how they should be fixed.
Date: Monday 11 May 2026
Time: 12.00 midday - 12.45pm
Location: online via zoom webinar
Cost: there is no cost to attend but registration is essential
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
Gordon Campbell: On The Risks Of AI In The Workplace
Dayenu: Condemning Use Of Government Funding For Extremist Report On Antisemitism
PSA: Councils Must Work With Unions And Communities In Fast-Track Reform
Tauranga City Council: Mauao Restoration Work Has Begun
Horizon Research: New Poll Finds High Concern About Fuel Situation
Tiaki Wai: Over 1,150 People Give Feedback On Tiaki Wai Water Services Strategy
Greenpeace Aotearoa: Israeli Forces Illegally Attack Peaceful Humanitarian Flotilla
