Amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996

Our submission to the Fisheries Policy Team on the Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996

Submission

On the Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996

Fisheries Policy Team

Policy and Trade Branch

Ministry for Primary Industries

PO Box 2526 Wellington 6140

New Zealand

Name of Submitter:

Rock The Vote NZ

Unit 901

5 Howe Street

Freemans Bay

Auckland 1011

New Zealand

We submit these comments on behalf of Rock The Vote NZ, grounded in our core values of Sovereignty and Independence, Individual Rights and Transparency, and the belief in a government for and By the People. Our fundamental commitment is to protect New Zealand’s national sovereignty, empower individuals against overreach (whether by government or international entities), and ensure that decision-making remains transparent and accountable. We believe in safeguarding freedoms, supporting genuine local governance where practical, and fostering Kiwi innovation without undue interference from global organizations whose agendas may not align with the best interests of New Zealanders.

Rock The Vote NZ’s principles include:

• Sovereignty and Independence: Minimizing external control and restoring New Zealand’s autonomy.

• Individual Rights and Transparency: Upholding freedom of thought and expression, enshrining the NZ Bill of Rights, and ensuring that government is accountable to its citizens.

• Reconnection to New Zealand Values: Reinvigorating Kiwi initiative, innovation, and strong community values.

• Government For and By the People: Supporting reduced government overreach, a smaller, more efficient Parliament, and robust local decision-making wherever possible.

• Empowerment: Strengthening our domestic capacity to manage resources, reducing censorship, and promoting open public discourse.

In keeping with these principles, we are committed to preserving New Zealand’s marine environment as a shared resource, ensuring that citizens’ rights are respected, and that transparency is prioritized in any policy decisions affecting our fisheries.

The parties position on Proposed Fisheries Act Amendments

We currently do not support the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act for the following reasons

1. We strongly oppose the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act that risk privatising New Zealand's fish - our shared public resource.

2. We want the Minister to manage the marine environment, so fish are available for local consumption, rather than favouring exports.

3. We are concerned that the proposed changes will result in fewer fish available for the public to catch and bring home to share with our families across the country.

4. We want Fisheries New Zealand to fund more independent surveys so fisheries management is based on robust, transparent data, because the proposed changes will mean more reliance on unvalidated, self-reported commercial data to support catch limit increases.

5. We oppose the proposed changes that would enable the Minister to prioritise socio-economic factors, such as income and employment, over the health of the marine environment.

6. We strongly oppose any attempt to remove the Minister’s statutory duty to reduce the maximum catch limit in a depleted fishery because we are concerned that voluntary catch reductions by commercial fishers will fail to rebuild depleted fish stocks.

7. We reject any attempt to weaken camera regulations, including limiting public access to footage through the Official Information Act and allowing onboard cameras to be switched off at certain times. An MPI report revealed a 46 percent increase in fish reported being tossed overboard after cameras went live. Weakening camera regulations will erode transparency and public confidence in commercial fishing.

8. We do not support the proposed changes that will allow more fish to be thrown overboard.

9. We want our voice heard so we do not support fast track shortcuts enabling the Minister to approve plans to adjust annual commercial and recreational catch limits without requiring consultation for up to five years at a time.

In line with Rock The Vote NZ’s mission to empower New Zealanders and protect our national sovereignty, I urge the government to reject these proposed Fisheries Act changes in their current form. Our fisheries should be sustainably managed for the benefit of everyday New Zealanders, future generations, and the long-term health of the marine environment, with full transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Yours faithfully,

Rock the Vote NZ