Experiencing Marine Reserves Fish of The Year 2024

You’ve heard of bug of the year and bird of the year, now get ready for Fish of the Year!

March 4, 2024
Fish of the Year 2024 is now underway. 
Have your say and vote for the fish you think most deserves to be named Fish of The Year.
Fish of the Year 2024 is now underway. Have your say and vote for the fish you think most deserves to be named Fish of The Year.
Photographer:

Te Ika o te Tau 2024 is Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) fourth annual campaign to crown New Zealand’s most loved ika - fish.

Aotearoa is home to around 1400 marine fish species (~300 endemic!) and 54 freshwater fish species, many of which are declining or threatened. These are among some of Aotearoa’s most loved ika - the great ocean voyagers, the camouflage's, the freshwater migrants and the rocky reef dwellers! Te Ika o te Tau | Fish of the Year aims to raise awareness for some of the issues our ika face and teach people about the incredible biodiversity in our freshwater and marine environments.  

This year former winners whai repo/eagle ray and te whai rahi/oceanic manta ray watch on proudly from the hall of champions, while 43 other species compete to claim top spot. These range from freshwater minnows like the common bully to whale sharks, giants of the open ocean.

Ocean lovers across Aotearoa are putting together campaigns to elevate their favourite ika to the top of the pile! EMR founder Samara Nicholas is hoping for a strong showing from two exciting ika.

"For Fish of the Year I am backing two fish, the humble spotty/paketi as they are so reliable to 'spot' while out snorkelling and are actually endemic to New Zealand. I’m also getting behind the 'crested weedfish' as they are super rare to see, but I was lucky enough to find one this summer and they tell an interesting story about the declining state of our underwater forests, as they rely on healthy seaweed forests to hide in," says Nicholas.

Spotty are backed this year by Marine Invaders.

Visit the Fish of the Year website to see the full fish list and their Official Backers!

Voting opened on the 2nd of March, coinciding with the start of Sea Week! Voters will go into the draw to win a range of incredible prizes kindly donated by local organisations!

A stargazer (Kathetostoma giganteum) has a face only a mother can love, or is it your favourite fish of the year?
A stargazer (Kathetostoma giganteum) has a face only a mother can love, or is it your favourite fish of the year?
A beautiful snapper (Pagrus auratus) shows it's colours
A beautiful snapper (Pagrus auratus) shows it's colours
Hiwihiwi, (Chironemus marmoratus) are always fun to have around and very curious .
Hiwihiwi, (Chironemus marmoratus) are always fun to have around and very curious .
A redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni) watches you from its rock in a freshwater stream.
A redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni) watches you from its rock in a freshwater stream.
Trevally (Pseudocaranx georgianus) swim by with their amazing silver glow reflecting light rays from the surface.
Trevally (Pseudocaranx georgianus) swim by with their amazing silver glow reflecting light rays from the surface.
The majestic John Dory, (Zeus faber) uses its huge spot as protection making it look larger than it is.
The majestic John Dory, (Zeus faber) uses its huge spot as protection making it look larger than it is.
The ever so curious Spotty (Notolabrus celidotus)
The ever so curious Spotty (Notolabrus celidotus)

There are also prizes for the Fish of the Year colouring in competition, check it out here.
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