The New Zealand sea lion is classified as "nationally critical" and there are fewer than 12,000 left. Photo / File
The New Zealand sea lion is classified as "nationally critical" and there are fewer than 12,000 left. Photo / File
A new plan has laid out how the Government will halt the decline of New Zealand sea lions - but environmental groups say it fails to address the threat of fishing to the critically endangered species.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have launched a new threat management plan for the native sea lions, setting out a five-year programme of engagement, targeted research, work on the ground and regular monitoring at all known breeding sites.
The New Zealand sea lion is classified as "nationally critical" and fewer than 12,000 are left.
About 98 per cent of breeding occurs on the subantarctic Campbell and Auckland Islands, but there are also small populations on the lower South Island and Stewart Island.
Guy said threats to sea lions were varied and no single factor was solely responsible for the decline in numbers.
"While disease and commercial fishing are the greatest threats for sea lions at the Auckland Islands, incidents involving humans, such as shootings, are a greater threat to sea lions on New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island," Guy said.
"Poor habitat and pups getting stuck in holes are the greatest threats on Campbell Island."
But commercial fishing would remain a focus for the Government, he said, and a technical advisory group had made recommendations on a plan for the southern squid fishery, which was now being reviewed.
"Fishers are keen to do the right thing and avoid bycatch. Sea Lion Exclusion Devices (Sleds) have been effective in reducing sea lion captures and there will be further research into their operation."
The plan included more research into the disease Klebsiella pneumoniae, and more planks to stop the animals falling into holes.
A community liaison officer would also be employed to help address the human threats and drive a community education campaign.
Forest and Bird said the plan lacked "specific actions" to address threats from squid trawling.
"We know of three female sea lions that have been killed in squid nets this season alone," marine conservation advocate Katrina Goddard said.
These images released to Forest and Bird under the Official Information Act show two sea lions caught and killed as bycatch in May this year. Photo / Forest and Bird
"If they were nursing, their dependent pups will also have died."
The group acknowledged that no single threat was responsible for overall population decline, but argued that "immediate action" could be taken on threats that could be stopped.
"Squid can be fished from areas where nursing sea lions aren't present, or by using sea-lion friendly fishing methods such as jigging."
WWF New Zealand campaigner David Tong also called for more action around fishing threats.
"We want the population of New Zealand sea lions to recover. For this to happen, our sea lions need a real plan to deal with the fishing threat."
The Deepwater Group, which represents New Zealand's deepwater fishing sector, welcomed the plan, and added it had "worked assidulously" with authorities and scientists to understand issues and risks.
"We are pleased this plan adopts a broad approach to mitigating the key threats to this unique animal, including ways to reduce the effects of disease and nutrition that can cause the deaths of hundreds of sea lion pups annually at the Auckland Islands," its chief executive George Clement said.
"We know that fishing is a risk factor for this rare animal, certainly not the only one, but it is the one that we can personally do most about and so that is where we are focused.
"We have now reduced the numbers of interactions with fishing vessels to where these are no longer considered to be the main concern and we remain committed to reducing these interactions further."
