Submission points for Fisheries NZ consultation on long-term measures for hoiho
"We’re in a conservation crisis, and we need to do everything we can to stop deaths of hoiho by set net fishing.
“Does Fisheries NZ understand the gravity of the situation? Based on the proposed long-term measures, we’d argue it doesn’t.”
— ELI’s Senior Legal Advisor Megan Cornforth-Camden.
Fisheries New Zealand is taking submissions on options for long-term protections for hoiho. Submissions are open until December 12.
We encourage you to make a submission raising your concerns with Fisheries NZ. The following are some points you may wish to include in your submission:
The northern population of hoiho are rapidly declining and are at risk of extinction. They are genetically discrete from the southern population.
The northern population face a range of threats. The risk of drowning in set nets is the one risk which can be removed.
The consultation document says that there are approximately 143 breeding pairs remaining. This is actually the number from last spring. The most recent number is not yet confirmed and finalised, but it is expected to be around 115 breeding pairs.
FNZ proposes three options. None of the options are sufficient to stabilise the population, let alone let it recover. We’ve reviewed the Mutli Threat Risk Assessment and understand that the proposed reduction in bycatch deaths would only halt the decline of the population if adult and or juvenile deaths from other causes could also be significantly reduced from present rates of mortality. However, reducing deaths from other causes (such as malnutrition and disease) is much more difficult and people on the ground have been doing all they can for years. In our submission, we argue that, given the urgency of the situation, FNZ need to remove the risk of bycatch, as this is the one cause of death which can be removed now.
The Fishing Related Mortality Limit (also called bycatch limit in the existing content), while also a step in the right direction, is proposed to be much too high. Allowing four deaths a year does little to change the status quo. In our view the FRML needs to be set at zero.
The escalation framework is also weak. The steps proposed to be taken on the death of one, two or three hoiho could and should be taken right now. There is also a significant reliance on mitigation measures being implemented, although earlier on, the document states that there are no mitigation measures for hoiho bycatch.
The measures leave hoiho exposed to the risk of bycatch, especially around Rakiura and the Catlins.
This is a conservation crisis, and we need to do everything we can to stop deaths of hoiho by set net fishing,
I call on Fisheries NZ to recommend a bycatch limit of 0, and extend set net fishing closures to all hoiho habitat.