Jones defiant in face of fisheries reform backlash
Oceans and Fisheries Minister says he won’t be threatened or intimidated by environmental and recreational groups, nor hapū opposing his industry reforms.
What’s at stake? Control over about $1.5b in annual seafood export earnings and how the system balances industry growth with sustainability and public transparency.
Background: The most significant Fisheries Act reforms since 1986, introducing multi-year (up to five years) abundance-based catch settings and excluding on-board camera footage from the OIA.
Main players: Minister Shane Jones, commercial quota holders (including Māori companies), environmental NGOs, recreational fishing advocates including LegaSea, and the Green Party.
Two weeks after unveiling a major shake‑up of the Fisheries Act, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones’ warning the reforms would be “hotly contested” has proved prescient; the white water he anticipated has arrived.
The reaction has been immediate and fierce, from the Green Party and
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Key points
What’s at stake? Control over about $1.5b in annual seafood export earnings and how the system balances industry growth with sustainability and public transparency.
Background: The most significant Fisheries Act reforms since 1986, introducing multi-year (up to five years) abundance-based catch settings and excluding on-board camera footage from the OIA.
Main players: Minister Shane Jones, commercial quota holders (including Māori companies), environmental NGOs, recreational fishing advocates including LegaSea, and the Green Party.
