Updated at 4:42 pm on 4 March 2014
Conservation group Forest and Bird is disputing the fishing industry's view that disease, rather than fishing, is responsible for the decline in New Zealand sea lion numbers.
The group is demanding squid fishers use more sustainable methods in the sub-Antarctic islands after a second sea lion was caught in a net in the first five weeks of the squid fishing season.
The fishing industry said while the deaths are regrettable, a disease wiping out large numbers of young sea lions is responsible for the decline.
 |
New Zealand sea lion bull
(Hooker's sea lion or whakahao), Purakaunui Bay
Photo: PHOTO NEW ZEALAND
|
But Forest and Bird's Katrina Goddard said its research shows fisheries-related bycatches are causing the decline.
Ms Goddard said instead of nets squid fishing boats should use the much safer jigging method, where lights draw squid to rotating lines with hooks.
George Clement, who heads the Deep Water Group, said independent research by government departments show nets do allow sealions to escape. The group represents fishers in the quota system.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
You only need to enter your comment once! Comments will appear once they have been moderated. This is so as to stop the would-be comedian who has been spamming the comments here with inane and often offensive remarks. You know who you are!