Seabirds to be scared away from ships

A Government decision to regulate commercial fishing boats, by introducing bird-scaring devices to reduce incidental catches of seabirds, has been welcomed by Forest and Bird.

Acting Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson announced yesterday his intention to regulate the fishing industry within 200 nautical miles of the South Island, Chatham Islands and sub-Antarctic islands.

The new rules follow the recall of a squid fishing fleet because it flouted a voluntary code to protect birds.

Forest and Bird manager Kevin Hackwell said the fishing industry's voluntary approach had failed.

"Forest and Bird welcomes the Government's plans to regulate to protect thousands of seabirds, including albatross, from being killed. An estimated 10,000 seabirds die every year as a result of fishing in New Zealand waters, and these are avoidable."

Mr Hackwell said Forest and Bird was heartened by the minister's admission that the fishing industry was losing credibility because of its failure to reduce its environmental impact.

Measures being considered for the regulations include paired tori lines - bird-scaring streamers hung from the back of boats - bird bafflers or acoustic scaring devices.

Federation of Commercial Fishermen president Peter Jones said many fishers already used bird-scares, but some would never do so unless they were compulsory.
- NZPA