What is the consultation?

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones is calling the proposed reforms to the Act “the most significant reforms in the sector for decades.”

The Federation strongly urges all members to take their time, read through the proposals and put together a comprehensive individual submission.

Submissions (which can be made through this survey form) are open until 5pm on Friday 28 March 2025.

The proposals, published by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)/Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ), outline a number of changes in three areas:

1. Proposals to improve the responsiveness, efficiency and certainty of decision-making

2. Proposals that enhance protection for on-board camera footage and ensure the on-board camera programme is workable

3. Implementing new rules for commercial fishers that set out when QMS fish must be landed and when they can be returned to the sea

What is the Federation doing?

The Federation will be making a submission on behalf of all members, and details about this will be shared in a March newsletter.

In addition to industry-wide resources, the Federation will shortly provide you with a guide of key points you can use about proposals that are particularly relevant to you — our members. At this point, we anticipate this guide will cover:

• Camera footage protections for on-board cameras

• Monitored returns

• Other proposed amendments to the landing and discard rules

If there are additional parts of the consultation you need support with, please reach out to us. We are here to help.