Archived News

The New Zealand Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy launched the National Plan of Action for Seabirds 2013 for New Zealand late last month (click here).  The plan sets out objectives for five years to guide management of incidental seabird catch in New Zealand fisheries.  To support implementation an advisory group is being established.  The Seabird Advisory Group is to be made up of representatives from interested sectors.  It will monitor and assist with implementation of the national plan (click here).

“The plan shows there is real determination to improve how we protect our unique seabirds. The Ministry for Primary Industries, the Department of Conservation, the fishing industry, tangata whenua and environmental groups have all worked together on this important strategy.

“Seabirds are considered one of the world’s most threatened bird groupings, and the key threat to seabirds is incidental capture and mortality through fishing operations.  New Zealand is an important breeding ground for around eighty seabird species including albatross, petrel, penguin and shag species.  The plan defines objectives for the next five years to prevent, monitor and manage seabird interactions with the fishing industry.  It includes plans to:

$1·         Reduce capture rates through continuous improvement in all New Zealand fisheries;

$1·         Ensure effective prevention methods are applied in all New Zealand fisheries and by New Zealand vessels on the high seas;

$1·         Helping develop new mitigation measures;

$1·         Develop new research, observation and monitoring techniques;

$1·         Cooperating with other countries whose vessels interact with seabirds, particularly those that breed in New Zealand.

“This is a high-level framework to help us gain a better understanding of the problem, and deal with it.  It will be implemented in the annual operational plans of the Ministry for Primary Industries, and progress will be regularly reviewed and reported on,” said Mr Guy.

Chatham Albatross: a New Zealand breeding endemic

Photograph by Matt Charteris

Click here to obtain New Zealand's NPOA Seabirds 2013.

Click here for more background information.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 May 2013