MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Imminent closure of squid fishery.

The imminent closure of the Auckland Islands squid fishery after a report that it has killed over 100 sea lions this year highlights the need for the fishery to change its fishing method, according to Forest and Bird.

"This is the second year when over 100 sea lions have been drowned in the fishery," Forest and Bird Senior Researcher, Barry Weeber said. "Because of inadequate reporting arrangements the actual sea lion deaths could be double the official figures."

"We urge the Minister of Fisheries to look at alternative fishing methods for the Auckland Islands squid fishery," said Mr. Weeber. "Sea lion deaths would drop to virtually zero if the Minister required the squid fishers to use jiggers".

"It's about time that the Government took action. There's no excuse for the annual sea lion slaughter."

"New Zealand fishers have previously jigged for squid around the Auckland Islands. Jiggers are used in the squid fishery around the Falkland Islands. What is needed is an incentive for fishers in New Zealand waters to use jiggers. A ban on trawling would do that."

"It is time for the Minister of Fisheries to stop putting the interests of foreign trawlers ahead of New Zealand's only endemic threatened sea lion," Mr Weeber said.

New Zealand sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. However a special exemption under the Act has allowed the fishing industry to kill sea lions in the course of fishing.

An extended marine mammal sanctuary around the Auckland Islands combined with jigging would safeguard threatened New Zealand sea lions without preventing squid fishing. This would be consistent with the World Heritage status of these islands and their surrounding territorial seas.

Source Press Release: Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society