Right now, our industry has a critical window to be heard.

The Fisheries Amendment Bill is going through Parliament and is now open for public submissions through the Select Committee process. This matters for everyone who works in, relies on or cares about our sector.

Submissions close on April 29th, and the decisions that follow will be vital for the future of our industry.

Three-hundred industry people submitted last year during the public consultation period to shape the policies now in this Bill. We need just as many, if not more, of you to speak up again now.

At the heart of it, this Bill strengthens how we look after fish populations and the marine environment. It helps modernise the system we operate in, which has not kept pace with the information and technology now available. This Bill helps make our system more practical and responsive.

It includes practical changes that reflect how fishing actually happens on the water. It also includes the exclusion of onboard camera footage from the OIA, which means that the public continues to have access to the data through MPI’s quarterly proactive release, but not the raw footage itself. This simply formalises the status quo.

These changes are operational settings that affect how people do their jobs every day.

So it is critical our industry is part of that conversation and that you make a submission today.

Too often, we see others speaking about fishing without fully understanding it. If we are not actively contributing our perspective, those gaps in understanding can shape the outcome.

This is our opportunity to put real-world experience in front of decision-makers.

Making a submission does not need to be complicated. It can be a few paragraphs outlining your experience, what the Bill means for your operation, and where you see benefits or risks. Submissions are publicly released and considered as part of the Select Committee’s review, helping inform recommendations before the Bill returns to Parliament.

For those who want support, we’ve pulled together resources to make the process as straightforward as possible:

What matters most is that submissions are grounded in real experience. Whether you’re on the water, onshore, in processing, compliance, science, or supporting roles – your perspective is valid and valuable.

We know this process can feel time-consuming, or you may be uncertain whether it will make a difference. But Select Committees do read submissions. They do look for patterns, evidence and practical insight. And they do take note when an industry engages constructively and at scale.

Our role at Seafood New Zealand is to advocate on behalf of the sector, and we will be making a detailed submission ourselves. But it is not enough for us to speak alone.

A strong, credible industry voice comes from many perspectives, not just one.

We encourage you to take the time to make a submission. Share your experience. Be constructive. Be clear. And be part of the process that will influence the future of our sector.

Because decisions will be made – and it’s important that they are informed by those who know this industry best.

#supportseafood and make your submission today.