The outspoken Invercargill mayor told the Otago Daily Times "something has to change" following the sinking of Easy Rider, which left Bluff on Wednesday with three crew and six passengers heading to traditional Foveaux Strait mutton-birding grounds.
Mr Shadbolt, who visited the sole survivor, Dallas Reedy, (44) in Southland Hospital yesterday afternoon, confirmed that he planned to hold talks with Ngai Tahu representatives to discuss how to prevent any future tragedy.
Six years ago, Kotuku capsized in Foveaux Strait, resulting in the deaths of six mutton-birders.
Mr Shadbolt questioned whether smaller fishing vessels should be making the trip across the notoriously unpredictable stretch of water.
"Maybe Ngai Tahu should get one big ship to service the islands," he said.
Tahu Potiki, of the Otakou runanga, said muttonbirding was a complex annual activity "based purely on a fiercely protected customary right, and the bulk do it for pecuniary gain".
"Tim might be right, but the days of getting dropped off at the islands in a government steamer [are over]."
Many operators who had customary rights had moved towards using helicopters, and it had proved to be a good business for some, but it remained unregulated, he said.
"It is a complex customary economy, and there is very little regulation in the sector."
However, the days of smaller vessels leaving at night full of muttonbirders so as to arrive at the grounds early in the morning would be the subject of debate, given the latest tragedy, Mr Potiki said.
"Change and good management needs to be driven by the muttonbirders themselves, or not much will change."
