Submission: Review of sustainability measures for blue cod (BCO 3)

Photo by André Richard Chalmers - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

ELI’s submission to Fisheries NZ’s review of sustainability measures for blue cod in fishery area BCO 3.

In relation to BCO 3 - a large fishing area ranging from Kaikoura to Southland - the Minister is required to set sustainability measures for the purpose of ensuring sustainability. Accordingly, sustainability measures must avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including hoiho yellow-eyed penguin. Blue cod off the east coast of the South Island are an important food source for the northern population of hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin. This population is facing a high risk of extinction. Publicly available information suggests that depleted food sources may be one of the threats facing this population. To read our recommendations for action, download our submission.