A commercial fisherman is facing prosecution over the deaths of 38 albatrosses on the West Coast.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is prosecuting the skipper of a vessel fishing for southern bluefin tuna and moving to put further measures in place to prevent further seabird deaths after the incident, MPI acting director of fisheries management Steve Halley says.
The albatrosses died because the vessel failed to use a tori line - a mandatory mitigation device designed to scare birds away from baited hooks, MPI acting director of fisheries management Steve Halley said.
Formal necropsy identifications were yet to be completed but initial at-sea identification and inspection of photos did not reveal any northern royal albatross - the only species on the Otago Peninsula - and it was unlikely any were taken in this incident, Mr Halley said.
The skipper of the vessel could face a fine of $100,000 and forfeiture of the vessel involved in the incident under fisheries regulations.
The decision to prosecute sent a clear message rules need to be followed, Mr Halley said.
"MPI works regularly with commercial fishers to reiterate the importance of bird mitigation and the need to comply with regulations designed to prevent seabird bycatch,'' he said.
"Non-compliance is not acceptable. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution action will be taken.
"MPI is now moving to put in place further mitigation techniques including mandatory use of line-weighting for all vessels using surface long-lines.
"Line-weighting is used successfully in other fisheries as part of best practice by reducing the availability of baited hooks during the setting of gear.''
MPI would also put placement notices on higher-risk vessels in the southern bluefin tuna fleet, he said.
The notices prevented vessels from fishing without an MPI observer on board.
"We've been working with industry in this area for some time and will focus on ensuring continuous improvements are made,'' he said.
"New Zealand has a significant role to play in safeguarding the many seabird species within our waters. The changes MPI plans to make reflect that responsibility.''
