27-02-2007
Forest & Bird (BirdLife in
“We are pleased that as an
initial measure all surface longlining within the New
Zealand EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone] will now be confined to night setting and
that all vessels must use approved bird scaring devices.” commented Kirstie Knowles, Forest and Bird Conservation Advocate.
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton recently announced three measures to be imposed to
help reduce seabird bycatch. As well as putting into
force a daytime ban and use of bird-scaring devices (tori-lines),
a notice period for longline fishing voyages is also
to be implemented allowing the Fisheries Ministry to organise
observer programmes where necessary.
“It’s a positive step forward,
and a good example of what we’re working to promote with fisheries and
governments.” said Dr Ben Sullivan, BirdLife’s Global
Seabird Coordinator. “These measures are simple, easy to put into practice and
above all they're effective. If they’re correctly implemented they will
certainly have a positive impact on some of the threatened albatross species in
The decision is thought to
have been prompted by Ministry observations of seabird bycatches
in late 2006. Onboard a fishing vessel in the
“It’s a positive
step forward, and a good example of what we’re working to promote with
fisheries and governments.” —Dr Ben Sullivan,
BirdLife’s Global Seabird Coordinator
Most of the albatrosses caught
were Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis,
endemic to
“While these measures are a
good first step to address the issue of seabird bycatch
we hope that satisfactory longer term solutions will be found not just for
seabirds, but also for sharks and turtles which are caught as significant bycatch by this method of fishing,” Ms Knowles said.
BirdLife's ‘Save the
Albatross’ Campaign is trying to stop the needless slaughter of these
magnificent birds by ensuring that relevant international agreements are
implemented that will benefit both the birds and the legal fishing industry. To
find out what you can do to help visit our ‘Save the Albatross’ website: www.savethealbatross.net