Founded in 1953 by a group of passionate South Island fishers, today the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen (the Federation) is a national organisation that represents independent owner-operator fishers and their crew. 

These are typically those operating small vessels of 10–30 metres, as well as anyone who cares about New Zealand’s coastal communities.  

The Federation’s members span New Zealand, from the Chatham Islands and Southland all the way up to Northland.  

Policy positions are driven by member interests, and cover everything from fisheries management to health and safety, levies and fishing gear innovation.  

The diverse and widespread nature of the commercial fishing sector means that staying in touch with industry news, and with each other, is often difficult. The Federation plays an important role as a conduit for communication and the dissemination of information through our monthly member newsletters, and opportunities to connect and socialise through an annual conference and AGM. 

The Federation’s activities are entirely funded by membership fees, and it does not receive money from other sources.