Join the movement to restore our coastal fisheries

LegaSea is a non profit organisation dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of New Zealand’s marine environment. 

It’s time to fight for our fish. The Fisheries Amendment Bill has landed in Parliament. Click here to find out how to Kill the Bill.

The Fisheries Amendment Bill

The Fisheries Amendment Bill has been put on ice

On 18 June 2026, after months of relentless pressure and more than 33,000 submissions to the Select Committee, Shane Jones, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, announced that the Bill will not be progressed by the current government.

This is a significant win for the future of our fisheries and belongs to every New Zealander and other organisations that made their voice heard by making a submission or emailing their local MP.

But the job isn’t finished.

We have the perfect opportunity to bury the Amendment Bill at the ballot box. LegaSea will continue engaging with political parties on where they stand with fisheries policies. We will update you once we know more.

Become a Works Partner

Right now we’re in the fight of our life as we battle against the Fisheries Amendment Bill which threatens the future of our fisheries.

We’re calling on businesses to step up as LegaSea Works Partners. For $500 a year, your workplace can put its name behind the fight for healthier fisheries, less destructive fishing and fairer access for everyday Kiwis.

We can’t fight this without your help.

Become a Works Partner now!

Latest news

See all

A real solution to depletion
September 4, 2026

Article originally published in Mahurangi Matters, September 2026 Communities like Mahurangi continue to pay the price for decades of poorly managed fisheries. Right now, we’re dealing with temporary closures to…

Read more >

LegaSea newsletter #196 – Rescuing one fishery at a time
August 28, 2026

As Kiwis, many of us derive our wellbeing from fishing or enjoying someone’s catch. Whether that’s a fresh scallop, snapper, or a chunky butterfish. All of it is most welcome…

Read more >

Snapper discard mortality: putting the numbers in context
August 26, 2026

A recent report estimating that around 250 tonnes of snapper die annually when discarded by recreational fishers in northern waters has renewed calls for improved monitoring of recreational catch. Fisheries…

Read more >

Rescue Fish

A pathway to abundance

Rescue Fish encapsulates everything that LegaSea stands for. A holistic solution to remedy depleted fish stocks and address environmental damage.

Together we can deliver restored abundance and diversity; greater food security; jobs and economic well-being.

Go to the Rescue Fish website to find out more.

Our programmes

The Kai Ika project utilises fish heads, frames and offal which were previously going to waste.  Since 2016 close to 600,000 kilos of fish parts have been diverted from landfill and repurposed for consumption or organic use.

Learn more


FishCare – The school of best practice is an educational initiative to help us reduce our collective impact on the marine environment, while ensuring we maximise the benefits of our fishing effort and catch.

Learn more

Advocacy

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council supports LegaSea and participates in various fisheries management and marine protection processes, to make your voice heard. LegaSea Legend and public donations make a valuable contribution to this vital work.

Please view our recent submissions below:

East and west coast tarakihi review, July 2026.
Elephantfish review (ELE 3 & 5), July 2026.
Fisheries Amendment Bill, May 2026.

View all submissions here and the 2025 Fisheries management annual report can be found here.

About Us

LegaSea is a not for profit organisation established by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council in 2012.

Together with your help we have attended more than 900 events, 368 research and planning meetings, funded 80 submissions, created the FishCare education programe, dedicated 715 hours to the Sea Change marine spatial planning process, conducted the largest ever survey of public views on rock lobster management in New Zealand and performed 2 surveys of recreational fishing practices.

What is LegaSea? | Financials | Our people

 

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has been serving the interests of its 55 member clubs since 1957. Most of these clubs are Incorporated Societies and between them there are 37,000 affiliated members nationwide.

Find out more

Support us

LegaSea is a group of committed people working together to restore abundance. Our team is a mix of professionals and volunteers. LegaSea is supported by a host of corporate partners and the generosity of thousands of people who care about our marine environment. There is power in numbers, your contribution will make a difference. The tide is turning.

Become a Legend

Starting at just $20 per month, becoming a LegaSea Legend is more than just a financial commitment, it’s a leadership role. You can inspire others to join us, to lend a hand. We are not looking for a few Legends we are looking for thousands.

 

Donate

Join the community

Keep up to date with the latest news. We publish regular articles, social media posts and media releases to keep New Zealand informed
on what’s happening with our fisheries.

Sign up

Join the discussion on our active social media pages:

Kōparepare wine

Whitehaven is a fully committed LegaSea Platinum Partner who have developed a range of high-quality wines to support LegaSea. They donate $2.50 for every bottle sold through their website – $30 per case!

Support LegaSea by drinking Kōparepare wines by Whitehaven.

Barkers X LegaSea

Buy some clothing from the
outstanding Barkers X LegaSea range, developed by Barkers to support LegaSea.

 

Quick search

Our partners

Our Partners, both Platinum and Gold are our lifeblood. They help LegaSea with funding and materials. Their support motivates the team and demonstrates a commitment to all New Zealanders to ensure our lives are made richer through the health of our fisheries and the environment we all live in.

Our current Platinum Partners are: