2 Nonfish bycatch data

Protected species such as seabirds and marine mammals are caught incidentally in New Zealand fisheries. In some cases information on populations of protected species, or the actual amount of bycatch occurring is insufficient to determine precise effects from fishing. For some protected species, caught in particular fisheries, a Maximum Allowable Level of Fishing-Related Mortality (MALFIRM) may be required, e.g., NZ Sea Lions in the Squid fishery. However, in other fisheries, e.g., NZ Fur Seals in the hoki fishery, fewer controls exist over the impact of fishing.

In an attempt to mitigate this problem of insufficient information, all vessel masters are obligated to complete a Non-Fish Incidental Catch Reporting Form following the capture of a protected species. The data from these forms are used to populate the nonfish_bycatch database. The completion of this form is a statutory requirement and is based on the Wildlife Act (1953) and the Marine Mammals Protection Act (1978). As at the date of publication of this report, these data cover a continuous time-series since December 1996.