Forest and Bird rejects Anderton's stand over increased sea lion kill

A conservation group lobbying the Government to cut the allowable sea lion kill to almost zero has rejected criticism by Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton that it is misinformed.

In April, Mr Anderton increased this year's squid season catch by 20 per cent and allowed up to 150 sea lions to be killed by the squid-fishing industry - a 52 per cent increase on the 97 allowed last season.

Forest and Bird general manager Mike Britton said the group's petition urged the Government to reduce the kill to close to zero for next season.

Because sea lions feed on squid, many drown in the south squid fishery around the Auckland Islands when they get caught in nets.

Forest and Bird regards the sea lions as endangered, saying only 7000 mature adults exist worldwide.

Mr Anderton said National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientists had advised him that even allowing up to 550 sea lions to die would not compromise the sustainability of the whole population on the Auckland Islands.

Mr Britton said information obtained by Forest and Bird under the Official Information Act showed Mr Anderton was advised by the Ministry of Fisheries and by Conservation Minister Chris Carter that sea lion numbers were in decline, and that there was no new scientific evidence to support raising the kill limit.

Mr Britton said he also rejected Mr Anderton's assertion that the sea lion pup population was not in decline but had "varied from year to year".

A Conservation Department study of sea lion pup numbers showed they had declined by 30 per cent over the past eight years, Mr Britton said.

Mr Anderton said the deaths of additional sea lion allowed an extra squid catch with an estimated export value of $4.7 million.

Forest and Bird also rejected Mr Anderton's statement that jig fishing, attracting squid using bright lights, could not be used around the Auckland Islands because of ocean conditions, a method that caused no harm to sea lions.

Next season's kill limit will be announced in December.

Mr Britton said he welcomed that, and Mr Anderton's acknowledgement his decision to raise the limit was a one-off.

- NZPA