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Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Dolphin catch increase could be ‘random'
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES A sixfold increase in dolphin captures since the introduction of onboard cameras could be due to a range of factors, including "random fluctuations", Seafood New Zealand says. Fisheries New Zealand science and information director Simon Lawrence told the Otago Daily Times there had been a sustained change in reporting across the vessels within scope of the onboard cameras rollout and by last month, there had been 6.1 times more reported dolphin interactions since cameras had been on board fishing vessels. Forest & Bird earlier this week said the increase suggested suspected under-reporting was in fact happening. However, now Seafood New Zealand inshore general manager Tiffany Bock said there could be other factors at play. "Yes, more dolphin interactions have been reported. "We agree that it's good to have this information out there. "The change is due to a number of things. "We can't rule out random fluctuations, because we are talking about relatively small numbers (although obviously we want these numbers to get much smaller, fast). "Also it is true that fishers are taking way more care about the reporting process. "This is a good thing." It was important to consider that before cameras, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was "always allowing for a certain amount of under-reporting in their calculations" of protected species interactions, Ms Bock said. "Now we have cameras, we know their calculations were pretty accurate." Furthermore, potential changes MPI was considering would only limit public access to the footage captured by onboard cameras, not the information gleaned from them, she said. When announcing proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act in February, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said he wanted to address industry concerns about "sensitive footage" from cameras on fishing boats. Yesterday, Ms Bock said it was "really important for the public to know" that they would not be losing access to information about accidental captures of protected species under the proposed changes. MPI published quarterly data about bycatch of protected species on its website and that would not stop, she said. "Everyone will still be able to see how many birds, reptiles and marine mammals have been captured by fishing vessels and whether they were released alive and uninjured, alive and injured or dead. "This information is put together from observers on fishing vessels and from what MPI officials see via cameras. "It will continue to be published and is in no way affected by the proposed legislative changes."
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Dolphin reports soar as cameras increase
Since cameras were installed on fishing boats, six times more accidental catches of dolphins have been reported by the fishing industry, official information shows. Fisheries New Zealand science and information director Simon Lawrence told the Otago Daily Times data collected from on-board cameras thus far confirmed cameras improved the "quality of data available" to inform fisheries management — "particularly in relation to accidental protected species captures reported by fishers". "As at April 2025, we have observed 6.1 times more reported dolphin interactions since cameras have been on board fishing vessels," Mr Lawrence said in response to an official information request. "This demonstrates that the presence of cameras has led to a sustained change in reporting across the vessels within scope of the rollout." On-board cameras were first placed on vessels deemed to pose the greatest risk to protected species, he said. The first phase of the rollout, in 2023, focused on the west coast of the North Island and those parts of the South Island most likely to overlap with Hector's dolphin habitats. Data released in April last year showed an improvement in reporting by fishers, which was in line with expectations, he said. From the beginning of last year, the rollout extended to the remaining areas within the scope of the programme, he said. Reports of accidental capture of protected species increased when cameras were put on boats and those increased levels then continued unchanged, he said. Forest & Bird Otago and Southland regional conservation manager Chelsea McGaw said the significant increased was "not surprising". "It is not surprising that reports of dolphin bycatch have increased by more than 600%," Ms McGaw said. "It has been long suspected that a lot more bycatch was happening than what was previously self-reported or reported by observers." Along the same lines, in the kingfish and snapper fisheries, "discards" of fish had risen 950% and over 1000%, respectively, since cameras were introduced. Ms McGaw said the increases did not mean more animals were being caught or discarded than before, "just that we are now beginning to see the true picture of bycatch in our fisheries". "The most worrying part of all this is that the current proposal to review the Fisheries Act wants to allow cameras to be turned off when at anchor and when transitioning to and from port, creating 'black spots' where this data cannot be captured. "It is also proposed that camera information, such as that gathered for this article, will not be able to be retrieved through the Official Information Act [OIA] process, and will be locked tight behind MPI walls." The information touted by Fisheries New Zealand was also "invaluable public information" that allowed for transparency of the fishing industry. The data collected by cameras also provided advocacy tools for organisations such as Forest & Bird to fight for reduced bycatch and ecosystem-based fisheries management, she said. University of Otago emeritus professor Liz Slooten said the most recent bycatch data — from January to March this year — was due to be published this month and she would comment then. However, she said it would be useful to find out the number of boats that did not have cameras or observers on board. Prof Slooten said she suspected it would be very different for gillnet and trawl fisheries. "Both of these kill dolphins. "From what we can gather, the proportion of boats with cameras on board is much higher for trawling vessels than gillnetting vessels. "But MPI [Ministry for Primary Industries] seem very reluctant to actually provide information on this." She also said the 6.1 times more reported dolphin bycatches was "a significant change", one which she expected "shocked" officials.
Otago Daily Times
07-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
'Intense ocean warming' on Otago coast
Otago's coast is experiencing ''some of the most intense ocean warming'' anywhere in New Zealand and a co-ordinated response is required to ensure its future health, a national environmental protection advocacy group says. The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) yesterday released a 52-page report focused on the Otago coast as part of its ongoing project to develop concrete recommendations for reform of New Zealand's oceans management system. Report author and EDS policy director Raewyn Peart said the effects of climate change were more extreme here than would otherwise be the case, because they came on top of existing pressures on the marine environment including sedimentation and the impacts of fishing activity. ''The area is subject to some of the most intense ocean warming experienced anywhere in the country, and keystone species such as bull and bladder kelp are suffering badly, with likely cascading impacts for other marine life. ''The future health of Otago's coastal marine area will depend on the implementation of an integrated strategy that effectively deals with these cumulative pressures.'' Her report, one of a series of case studies, followed from a 2021-22 project that reviewed issues with present marine protections and developed options for reform such as new models for spatial protection, integrated management and legislative design. Her examination of the issues in Otago included a literature review as well as confidential interviews with 12 people involved in the area, including Fisheries New Zealand and the Otago Regional Council staff, University of Otago and Niwa scientists, representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, a Māori consultant and a seabird conservationist. The report provides an overview of the present state of the environment and an examination of ''two key challenges'', namely sedimentation and spatial marine protection. Sedimentation, which would likely increase with climate change due to more intense storm events, could smother pāua, increase larval mortality and reduce suitable substrate for settlement. It also affected kelp forests, causing ''coastal darkening'' and hindering photosynthesis. ''There is also evidence of sedimentation directly impacting estuaries.'' The creation of the proposed marine protected areas had stalled due to legal proceedings, she said. An update of the regional coastal plan by the Otago Regional Council was not expected before mid-2028 when there could be a different regulatory framework for coastal planning in place. Fisheries New Zealand also recently released guidance on protecting habitats of significance to fisheries management but has yet to identify particular to the Otago coast.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Response urged to ensure future of coast
Otago's coast is experiencing ''some of the most intense ocean warming'' anywhere in New Zealand and a co-ordinated response is required to ensure its future health, a national environmental protection advocacy group says. The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) yesterday released a 52-page report focused on the Otago coast as part of its ongoing project to develop concrete recommendations for reform of New Zealand's oceans management system. Report author and EDS policy director Raewyn Peart said the effects of climate change were more extreme here than would otherwise be the case, because they came on top of existing pressures on the marine environment including sedimentation and the impacts of fishing activity. ''The area is subject to some of the most intense ocean warming experienced anywhere in the country, and keystone species such as bull and bladder kelp are suffering badly, with likely cascading impacts for other marine life. ''The future health of Otago's coastal marine area will depend on the implementation of an integrated strategy that effectively deals with these cumulative pressures.'' Her report, one of a series of case studies, followed from a 2021-22 project that reviewed issues with present marine protections and developed options for reform such as new models for spatial protection, integrated management and legislative design. Her examination of the issues in Otago included a literature review as well as confidential interviews with 12 people involved in the area, including Fisheries New Zealand and the Otago Regional Council staff, University of Otago and Niwa scientists, representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, a Māori consultant and a seabird conservationist. The report provides an overview of the present state of the environment and an examination of ''two key challenges'', namely sedimentation and spatial marine protection. Sedimentation, which would likely increase with climate change due to more intense storm events, could smother pāua, increase larval mortality and reduce suitable substrate for settlement. It also affected kelp forests, causing ''coastal darkening'' and hindering photosynthesis. ''There is also evidence of sedimentation directly impacting estuaries.'' The creation of the proposed marine protected areas had stalled due to legal proceedings, she said. An update of the regional coastal plan by the Otago Regional Council was not expected before mid-2028 when there could be a different regulatory framework for coastal planning in place. Fisheries New Zealand also recently released guidance on protecting habitats of significance to fisheries management but has yet to identify particular to the Otago coast.
