Comment sought on National Plan to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are seeking feedback from stakeholders and tangata whenua on the draft of a new National Plan of Action to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in New Zealand fisheries (NPOA-Seabirds).

“New Zealand strives to be a world leader in fisheries management and the ongoing sustainability of our natural resources, including the conservation of seabirds,” MPI’s Deputy Director General Resource Management and Programmes, Scott Gallacher said.

There are more seabird species breeding in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world. New Zealand seabirds should be able to thrive without pressure from fishing related mortalities. To make sure this occurs, and to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a country that takes management of the environment seriously, we need be demonstrably at the cutting edge of international seabird conservation and leadership.

“The development of this new NPOA-Seabirds is the result of the combined efforts of government, industry and environmental NGOs and exemplifies MPI’s approach to working in partnership with stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes,” says Mr Gallacher.

The NPOA-Seabirds will provide a framework to inform management for the next five years. It will also set a number of time-bound objectives to be reached by partnering with the fishing industry to reduce the amount of incidental seabird catch.

The public are invited to make submissions on the NPOA-Seabirds to MPI or DOC by 21 November 2012.

For further information or to make a submission, visit http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/npoa+seabirds/default.htm

or

http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/current/

ENDS

© Scoop Media