Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026

The New Zealand Parliament is currently considering amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996. The Fisheries Amendment Bill is about making sure our fisheries management system continues to evolve alongside better data, modern technology, and practical, evidence-based decision-making.

Seafood New Zealand supports the overall direction of these changes. We believe they will strengthen our fisheries management system for all New Zealanders.

In simple terms, the proposals in the Bill will:

• modernise how fisheries are managed
• improve efficiency
• strengthen the use of data and information
• maintain sustainability as the cornerstone.

GET THE FACTS

The Fisheries Act is complex, so we’ve pulled together a series of high-level summaries of what’s being proposed to help inform your submissions.

Click on the links below to read over our helpful summaries:

• • Alternative deemed values  
  • Catch limit tools
  • Changes to ACE Carry Forward provisions 
  • Changes to on-board camera programme
  • Clarifying the scope of TACs 
  • Managing medium and low information stocks 
  • Landings and discards
  • Non-regulatory measures
  • Social, cultural and economic considerations
  • Timeframe for judicial review

NEED help?

After reading through the above, if you have any questions or comments or would like further support please email [email protected].