Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has announced that the government has taken decision on management measures for the 2009-10 Auckland Islands squid trawl fishery (SQU6T). At the same time it also sets fishing related mortality limit (FRML) for sea lions that may be accidentally caught by fishing trawlers. The maximum number of accidental fishing related sea lion deaths for the 2010 fishing season will be set at 76 sea lions.
Official figure showed that last year the limit was set at 113 but was then voluntarily reduced to 95 by the fishing industry after the latest research showing a decrease in sea lion pup numbers became available. Heatley said that it was well noted the recent and significant decline in the number of sea lion pups.
He told that this is always a hard decision to make; balance is needed to protect New Zealand’s native sea lions with my obligation under the Fisheries Act to allow for fishing of the squid resource around the Auckland Islands. The squid fishing industry voluntarily uses sea lion exclusion devices (SLEDS), which allow sea lions to escape from trawl nets. There is research currently underway to improve the information on how effective SLEDs are at allowing sea lions to escape from nets.
He explained that before the squid fleet leave port their SLEDs will be audited to ensure they are installed correctly and meet the required standard. In addition, SLEDs will be regularly checked by Ministry of Fisheries observers and Fishery Officers throughout the season to ensure they are being used correctly.
