New Zealand sea lions could be extinct within decades if the Government accepts Agriculture Ministry advice on how to manage the species, a University of Otago expert says.
MAF, which now includes the former fisheries ministry, is considering submissions on its initial position paper on managing a squid fishery near the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands.
The fishery overlaps with the breeding and feeding territory of the largest population of New Zealand sea lions, which are considered a nationally critical species – the highest-risk classification in New Zealand's system.
The number of Auckland Island pups being born has halved since 1998.
The paper proposes that there should be no limit imposed on the number of sea lions accidentally caught in trawling nets in the fishery.
"The most recent research strongly suggests that the direct effect of fishing-related mortality on the New Zealand sea lion population is minimal," it says.
However, sea lion researcher Bruce Robertson, a senior zoology lecturer at the University of Otago, said the best evidence available – including research done by the Conservation Department last year – was that fishing was the most plausible reason for the dramatic population decline.
The DOC research concluded that sea lion bycatch at current estimated levels could result in the species becoming "functionally extinct" by 2035.
Outbreaks of disease in some years slowed breeding rates but fishing bycatch – including animals who drowned or died of injuries even after escaping trawling nets – was "the most significant known negative impact".
Dr Robertson said the conflicting advice needed to be considered in an independent review. He had made a submission to MAF that proposed managing the sea lion population under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, rather than the Fisheries Act.
He also advocated the use of squid jigs – a type of hook – rather than trawling nets. "If you did that, tomorrow there would be no more bycatch."
MAF deputy director-general Scott Gallacher said the agency was aware of the research by DOC staff and Otago researchers and would consider it in any decision.
"MAF is confident it has access to the most up-to-date and accurate research on sea lion bycatch in the squid fishery."
Any advice it provided to Primary Industries Minister David Carter – likely to be in early February – would ensure any risk to protected species was avoided, he said.
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