A life anchored in Fiordland

Te Anau-based crayfisherman Pete Young’s philosophy is simple: give back to Te Rua-o-te-Moko / Fiordland.

A fisherman, conservationist and community leader, Pete’s story is entwined with the evolution of New Zealand’s marine environment and the people who depend on it.

“Someone has to make a difference. We have to look after Fiordland. One thing about Fiordland is it’s a giver. Everybody that goes to Fiordland takes something back. I think it’s time to give Fiordland something away and try and make a difference,” Pete says.

Pete’s early years were spent between Invercargill and Riverton, where weekends were filled with fishing and building homes with his parents. At just 16, he left school to fish commercially in Milford Sound, marking the beginning of a lifelong connection to the sea.

Over the years, he fished extensively across Fiordland, including Chalky Inlet and Preservation Inlet.

In 2004, Pete stepped away from fishing, moving to Timaru to pursue other ventures, including building sheds and running a function centre. But the sea called him back.

His deep knowledge of Fiordland’s waters led to relief skippering for the Department of Conservation (DOC), eventually becoming the full-time skipper of the Southern Winds for seven years.

Pete’s contribution to Fiordland extends beyond just fishing. As a founding member of the Fiordland Marine Guardians, he played a pivotal role in shaping sustainable marine management. The Guardians began in 1995 as a diverse group representing commercial fishing, tourism, DOC and other stakeholders. Their mission: to protect and enhance Fiordland’s marine environment.

This year, the group celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005 and recent wins, including at the Sustainable Seafood Awards and two Environment Southland Community Awards, highlighting the Guardians’ work.

Pete’s particularly proud of initiatives that educate young people about sustainable fishing, believing that the future lies in their hands.

Pete was also involved in the CRA8 management system as a board member. This system helped rebuild the rock lobster fishery from near collapse.

“The scientists said, ‘If you follow our decision rule, you’ll rebuild your fishery.’ And that’s what we did,” he recalls.

From 257 boats at the start of the quota management system to just 64 today, the rock lobster fishery in Fiordland has become one of the most profitable and successful rebuilds, globally.

“In the fisheries world, there’s not a lot of success stories, I think in New Zealand we’re leaders in a lot of that stuff."

“There are a lot of people who complain about the state of fisheries, but I think the best thing is that we have a quota management system, and sure, it’s not right in some species where they haven’t got the balance quite right, but they are working on it. If we didn’t have it, we wouldn’t have a fishery at all in a lot of species.”

Despite stepping back from full-time fishing for a time, Pete has since returned to his passion. He fishes strategically around Chinese festivals to optimise returns, completes pest destruction operations, and contributes to conservation efforts like rubbish cleanups in Rakiura / Stewart Island and Fiordland. He’s also a trustee for the Coal Island Trust.

His commitment is driven by a desire to make a difference, especially in the face of environmental challenges like climate change and overfishing.

“Fishing pressure is the only thing we can control. I can’t overemphasise the importance of responsible management,” he says.

Pete’s life is a blend of hard work, purpose and passion. Whether hunting in the hills, chopping firewood for neighbours or mentoring others, he remains grounded in community and conservation.

The CRA8 decision rule is a tool used to manage the Southern rock lobster (koura or crayfish) fishery in New Zealand. It automatically recommends changes to the commercial catch limit based on how catch rates are changing. This helps ensure the lobster population stays healthy over time while making management more efficient.

For more information, visit nzrocklobster.co.nz

A life anchored in Fiordland

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