20 June 2016

Have your say on sea lion threats

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are seeking public comment on the draft New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka Threat Management Plan.

Public consultation on the draft plan opens today and submissions can be made until 5 August 2016. Feedback will help decision-making on the final plan.

The plan will provide a long-term programme to manage threats to sea lions and reduce their population decline.

These threats include disease, commercial fishing, changes in food resources, pups drowning in holes, male sea lion aggression and human disturbance.

DOC’s manager of marine species and threats, Ian Angus, said the plan will consider the known key human-induced and natural threats to sea lions, how we manage and mitigate these threats, and research and monitoring priorities.

“Our key focus is gaining better information to ensure the sea lion population recovers,” Ian said.

“This is a great opportunity for the public to have a say on how we can work together to reduce impacts on this species.”

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