Proposals for managing the fishing-related mortality of seabirds

The proposals contained in the below consultation document set out a strategic framework for managing seabird-fishery interactions.

The proposed framework consists of the following elements:

1. The seabird standard; and
2. A revised National Plan of Action for Seabirds (NPOA Seabirds) management framework

The principal role of the seabird standard is to set out more explicitly the point at which the Minister considers it necessary to take steps to avoid, remedy or mitigate the effects of fishing-related mortality on seabirds. The seabird standard is not analogous to the use of a fishing-related mortality (FRML) such as for managing sea lion-fishery interaction in the squid 6T fishery, because it will not contain automatic sanctions and penalties such as the closure of a fishery. However, it will provide greater certainty about the level of performance that the Minister will expect and when additional management measures may be required.

The second element, the revised NPOA Seabirds management framework, provides an allocation framework between fisheries for the limit set by the seabird standard and offers a robust risk assessment process to determine what measures are necessary in each fishery to ensure as far as possible that this is not exceeded.

The seabird standard and revised NPOA Seabirds management framework also contain minimum requirements for monitoring fishing-related mortality of seabirds. These requirements will give comfort to government that each fishery is achieving fishing-related mortality objectives.

 Download the consultation document (PDF 938KB)
Please note: this is a large document and may take time to download

On 27 November 2007 the Draft Seabird Standard and Seabird National Plan of Action were released for public consultation. The Ministry has since received requests to extend the timeframe for consultation, which currently runs until 18 February 2008. 

It has been agreed to extend the deadline for stakeholder submissions to 14 March 2008 for both the Seabird Standard and the Seabird National Plan of Action. 

 Download letter of extension to stakeholders (PDF 11KB)

Send Submissions to:

Tracey Steel
Ministry of Fisheries
P.O. Box 1020
WELLINGTON

Or email them to: tracey.steel@fish.govt.nz