Seafood industry collaborates to reduce risk

Seafood industry collaborates to support Minister’s request to reduce risk to sea lions

28 January 2009

The majority of squid quota owners and fishers have willingly agreed to a voluntary reduction of fishing activity this season which will effectively cap the maximum possible sea lion mortalities at a lower level. This interim measure is in response to provisional reports that indicate pup numbers on the Auckland Islands are well down this breeding season.

The unexplained drop in the recorded numbers of sea lion pups was released by the Department of Conservation (DoC) on Tuesday 27th January 2009.

Each year some sea lions are accidently caught and drowned in trawl nets and because this occurs the Minister of Fisheries sets an annual limit of the number of sea lions that are allowed to be caught before the fishery is closed for the year. This ensures that fishing does not become a factor in the risks facing the species.

Although DoC is not exactly sure why there is a decrease in numbers, squid fishing companies were quick to respond to the new information.

“The immediate response [from the squid fishing industry] to the Minister was that we can and will reduce our fishing activities for this season as an interim measure,” said Richard Wells, a fisheries specialist from the Deepwater Group.

“Fishermen have never seen the by-catch limit as some kind of target or license to kill and if we can help to keep the balance then we will do so. Although fishing is not a factor in the sea lion’s endangered status, we need to take these provisional figures into account because of the particular nature of the drop. Reducing our fishing activity until more information comes to hand is one area we can manage.”

Last December the Minister of Fisheries announced a limit of 113 sea lions for the 2008/2009 squid fishery season. The decision was a precautionary approach based on extensive and robust scientific information. This voluntary reduction in fishing effort will effectively cap the assumed fatal interactions at 95.

"We do understand the concerns people have around individual sea lion deaths and that's why we are focused on ensuring we do everything practicable to mitigate the small risk that fishing poses to individual sea lions," said Mr Wells. “We are pleased to have been approached quickly once this issue surfaced and glad to have been able to organise a response that brings this year’s management measures in line with the Minister’s original decision but gives consideration to these latest provisional figures. The squid fishing industry will continue to work closely with both DoC and the Ministry of Fisheries to manage this issue.”

The squid fishery is New Zealand’s second largest seafood exporter.

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