New Zealand marine protection and fisheries management

New Zealand has introduced several measures to enhance marine sustainability and regulate fishing activities.

In September 2026, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced a reduction in tarakihi catch limits to support fishery recovery. This included a 20 percent reduction for the combined eastern fishery and approximately 55 percent for the western fishery, alongside a nationwide recreational daily limit of 10 tarakihi per person. While tarakihi limits were lowered, catch increases were permitted for other species such as snapper and blue mackerel where sustainable harvesting was deemed possible.

By October 2026, new bylaws took effect in Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour and Rāpaki mātaitai to regulate recreational fishing. These regulations introduced reduced daily limits for species including pāua, cockles, and flounder, as well as increased minimum legal sizes and prohibitions on certain crabs and native seaweeds. Additionally, the Green Party proposed new policies for the Hauraki Gulf, including phasing out bottom trawling in significant areas and aiming to protect 30% of the Gulf by 2030.