A commercial fisherman is to be prosecuted and faces a fine of up to $100,000 after dozens of albatrosses were killed during a fishing trip.
The unnamed fisherman is being prosecuted by the Ministry For Primary Industries, which is now set to introduce additional measures to help prevent more seabird deaths as a result of the incident.
A statement released by MPI today said the birds were killed when the commercial fisherman failed to use a tori line - a compulsory device used to scare birds away from baited hooks - while fishing for southern bluefin tuna off the West Coast of New Zealand.
"The skipper faces a maximum fine of $100,000 in relation to an offence under the Fisheries (Commercial Fishing) Regulations and forfeiture of the vessel used in the operation."
![A Salvin's Albatross looks for food in the Southern Ocean. Photo / Greg Bowker](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/OH6BX4T62QJXV3UEWIHSGFX7F4.jpg?auth=6253431793472ef2bd3de968be06c33776ae4b27ed85d73b808ba07d3299eade&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)