Skip to main content

Mitigation measures to reduce incidental seabird capture in commercial surface longline fisheries

Have your say

Incidental capture in New Zealand's surface longline fishery is a risk to numerous threatened seabird species.

To reduce the risk, MPI is proposing options to strengthen seabird mitigation requirements for commercial surface longline fishing operations in New Zealand fisheries waters.

Your feedback is sought on the proposals in the discussion document.

Consultation document

Background to consultation

New Zealand is home to the most diverse seabird community in the world. This includes the greatest number of albatross and petrel species, many of which are considered threatened. The surface longline fishery, in particular, poses a significant risk to a number of these species, despite the availability of multiple mitigation techniques.

What we're proposing

Given the scale of some recent seabird captures in this fishery, MPI is proposing that line weighting should become a mandatory requirement to further mitigate the risk to seabirds. Two options for change are proposed.

  • Option A would require line weighting in accordance with current prescribed specifications.
  • Option B would require line weighting in accordance with revised specifications as recently recommended by international seabird experts.

Making a submission

Email your feedback on the consultation document by 12pm on 21 November 2016 to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz.

In your submission, include:

  • 'Seabirds' in the subject line of your email
  • Your name and title (if applicable)
  • Your organisation's name (if applicable)
  • Your address

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

HMS Fisheries Management
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Submissions are public information

Note, your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA.

Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as information being commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. MPI will take such indications into account when determining whether or not to release the information. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.