Squid fishery around the Auckland Islands (SQU6T): Final Advice Paper

The Minister of Fisheries has recently approved measures to mitigate the effects that vessels, operating in the SQU6T fishery, have on the Auckland Islands sea lion population. These measures will be implemented through the 2009-10 SQU6T Operational Plan, and include

• A limit on the number of sea lion deaths attributable to vessels operating in the SQU6T fishery – the fishing-related mortality limit (FRML);
• Procedures to monitor incidental sea lion captures against this limit;
• A process to close the fishery if this limit is reached

In summary the Minister approved:

• An FRML of 76 sea lions
• A predetermined strike rate of 5.65% which is used to monitor catch against the FRML
• A sea lion exclusion device (SLED) discount factor of 35%.

A copy of the Final Advice Paper that was provided to the Minister and the Operational Plan can be found below, as can a copy of the Minister's decision letter to stakeholders.

 Download Final Advice Paper (PDF 334KB)

 Download Operational Plan (PDF 297KB)

 Download Stakeholder Letter (PDF 179KB)

Submissions received on the Initial Position Paper regarding management measures for the SQU6T fishery:

 Deepwater Group and SeaFIC (PDF 181KB)

 Forest and Bird (PDF 374KB)

 Bruce Robertson (PDF 143KB)

 WWF New Zealand (PDF 172KB)

 Environmental Defence Society (PDF 119KB)

If you require further information on this decision or on the SQU6T fishery please contact Jeremy Helson on 04 819 4643 or Jeremy.Helson@fish.govt.nz