Why we do it

Historically, all New Zealanders have been blessed with the freedom to fish for our seafood resources.

Future generations may not be so lucky. Declining fish stocks resulting from growing populations, commercial pressures and environmental problems are a reality.

The Guardians of the Sea Charitable Trust is committed to ensuring that the healthy activity of fishing continues to be accessible to the average family, providing quality nourishment that might otherwise be unavailable, or for many, simply unaffordable.

Critically, we must ensure that there are “more fish in the water” so that this freedom to fish has substance and meaning. A trip to the beach, wharf, rocks or out on the boat ought to provide a good chance of returning with a reasonable catch.

Many groups advocate for recreational and customary fishers, providing high quality and constructive input to fisheries management processes. Maori have a significant part to play and traditional values to share, especially the practice of kaitiakitanga. To date, this work has been severely under-resourced and now requires meaningful funding that can deliver where it counts. By providing appropriate resourcing for these groups they can continue to provide the education, public awareness, improved fishing methods - and many as yet unidentified initiatives – that will effect real and powerful change. We aim to ensure that the resource is respected and enhanced for ourselves and future generations.

The Trust’s legacy will be “more fish in the water” and the consequent enhanced social and cultural wellbeing accruing from the joys of fishing and providing food for the table.

Together, with the assistance of your contribution, we can deliver this legacy for all New Zealanders.