The New Zealand government has announced an immediate, three-month emergency closure of set net fisheries around the Otago Peninsula to protect the hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, one of the world’s most endangered seabirds. The decision, made by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, is a temporary measure to address the accidental capture of these penguins, known as bycatch, while the government prepares for public consultation on a long-term plan.
Urgent Action to Combat Bycatch and Other Threats
Minister Jones explained that the decision, while difficult for local fishers, was necessary to act on scientific evidence. The move comes after a new scientific assessment by Fisheries New Zealand identified a range of severe threats to the hoiho’s northern population. These include starvation from declining fish availability, predation by introduced species, disease outbreaks, and fishing activity, particularly entanglement in set nets.
Although local fishers had proposed a voluntary closure, the government determined that a more substantial, government-mandated ban was required. Minister Jones, while a strong supporter of the fishing industry, stated that the evidence on the risks to the hoiho could not be ignored.
A Path to Permanent Protection
The three-month closure will allow Fisheries New Zealand to lead a public consultation process to develop long-term protections. Proposals being considered include extending the existing set net ban and introducing a framework to progressively reduce hoiho bycatch to zero. This collaborative process will involve fishers, environmental groups, iwi (Maori tribes), and the wider public to ensure a balanced approach that supports both the ecosystem and the fishing industry. The hoiho is considered a taonga (treasured) species and is threatened with extinction, making this a critical conservation effort for New Zealand.