The majority of Kiwis reject contentious changes in the Fisheries Amendment Bill, according to new research released ahead of public submissions closing on Wednesday.

A Horizon Research poll, surveying 1000 respondents about key changes to the bill, found:

• 54% oppose allowing the Minister to set fish catch limits without a requirement to consider environmental impacts
• 64% oppose reducing financial penalties for fishing vessels that exceed legal catch limits
• 49% oppose blocking public access to fishing boat camera footage.

“New Zealanders aren't buying it,” says Scott Macindoe, President of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea spokesperson.

“The Bill guts the most important objective of fisheries management, which is managing New Zealand’s fisheries in the interests of future generations. Kiwis have already spoken out. They know the proposed changes mean more dumping of perfectly edible fish. This is totally unacceptable.”

More than 50 percent of voters (53%) support the Government withdrawing the Fisheries Amendment Bill to allow more time for public consultation.

Following the first reading of the Bill, a short consultation period was set giving the public just 16 working days to provide feedback ahead of the Primary Production Select Committee hearing. After a public backlash, the submission deadline was extended by another five days.

“The magnitude of the changes requires a fair and robust consultation process to ensure decisions of this importance are informed by comprehensive public input rather than fast-tracking it through parliament,” says Macindoe.

Future of fisheries top of mind for public

Fishing advocate Matt Watson, who has led a groundswell of public support on social media opposing the reforms, said Kiwis are more engaged in fisheries management now than ever before.

“I’ve not seen anything like it. For years there has been a slow build up of frustration over fish dumping, over-fishing and bottom trawling, as we’ve all seen the fish stocks decline. But the Fisheries Amendment Bill has amplified frustration into outrage and it’s now the first thing people ask me about wherever I go.”

Watson said the bill is blatantly unfair and people are well aware of how public interest is being ignored.

“I’m bloody proud to see so many people taking a stand and making it their number one election issue – and putting pressure on their elected officials. This isn’t a case of it ‘blowing over’, it won’t. People really understand how important it is to stop the big seafood companies taking control of our fisheries.”

Ditch destructive bottom trawling

Almost two thirds (62%) of Kiwis support the government developing a plan to help the fishing industry transition away from destructive bottom trawling towards lower-impact methods. With the strongest support coming from ACT (82%) and National (69%) voters at the last election.

Public pressure resulted in Fisheries and Oceans Minister Shane Jones backtracking to remove crucial changes to the bill such as catching and selling undersized fish.

Macindoe believes there is similar public opposition to bottom trawling.

“It’s simple. If fish stocks continue to be depleted by destructive fishing methods then there will be no fish which means no seafood industry.”

The strong public sentiment against the bill is reinforced by more than 30,000 people making submissions via LegaSea’s online template. Thousands of emails were also sent to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and MPs ahead of the bill’s first reading on March 31.

“If you've ever cared about what's happening in our waters this is the moment to say so. The government needs to listen,” says Macindoe.

Reforms make no sense at all

Darren Shields, NZ spearfishing champion and owner of underwater equipment supplier, Wettie, said from an economic and industry sense, the proposals don't make sense.

“No fish. No jobs. No industry. I’ve been in the industry for 40 years and the more we lose fish, the greater the impact on retailers and our employees. If we had more fish in the water that would be good for all businesses supporting the recreational and commercial industries.”

“The changes have been dramatic over my lifetime. It’s time we stopped destroying the marine habitat otherwise our kids won't have anything to see when they go snorkelling or diving. It’s the Bill that needs to die, not our marine environment.”

Mr Macindoe said if the government was serious about reforms, it would drop the Bill and promote real reforms that enable more precautionary management that delivers abundance at a local level.

“This would benefit both the community and commercial interests as it would be easier and cheaper to catch fish. Commercial fishers could sell fresh fish locally at a more reasonable price while leaving the small fish to grow into productive adults.”

Other concerns about the impact of the reforms, include:

· Lowering environmental standards

· Reducing fines for commercial fishers who exceed catch limits

· Imposing a $50,000 fine for anyone leaking camera footage to the public

· Restricting the ability of the public to challenge the Ministers’ decisions in court

· Limiting public consultation on future fisheries decisions

“The deeper you dive into the Bill the worse it gets. It needs a total rethink. As it stands, its sole focus is to increase the value of seafood exports. But it needs to strike a balance where public access to fisheries, sustainability of our marine environment, and commercial interests are considered together,” says Macindoe.

Public submissions on the Fisheries Amendment Bill can be made on the Parliamentary website. Submissions close at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 6 May.

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