UPDATE – 26 April 2023
Consultation extended
Consultation on proposed changes to the mandatory seabird mitigation measures for surface longlining has been extended by 2 weeks. Submissions must now be received by 5pm on Friday, 12 May 2023.
Highly migratory species and Pacific fisheries team
Consultation on proposed changes to the mandatory seabird mitigation measures for surface longlining has been extended by 2 weeks. Submissions must now be received by 5pm on Friday, 12 May 2023.
Fisheries New Zealand has reviewed the Fisheries (Seabird Mitigation Measures – Surface Longlines) Circular 2019.
We're seeking feedback from tangata whenua and stakeholders on proposed changes. The circular states the mandatory seabird mitigation measures applicable to commercial fishers using the surface longlining method of fishing within New Zealand waters.
A summary of the proposed options is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.
You can make submissions between 27 March and 12 May 2023.
Review of the Fisheries (Seabird Mitigation Measures – Surface Longlines) Circular 2019 [PDF, 477 KB]
Fisheries (Seabird Mitigation Measures – Surface Longlines) Circular 2019
Commercial fishers using surface longline are required by law to use a number of mitigation practices to reduce the risk of fishing operations to seabirds. These mandatory practices are set out in the Fisheries (Seabird Mitigation Measures – Surface Longlines) Circular 2019 and include that during setting, fishers must either:
Additional voluntary best practice measures are described in the mitigation standards for surface longline operations. This includes additional measures such as simultaneous use of tori (streamer) lines, line weighting, and night setting, known as "three out of three". This consultation seeks feedback on potential changes to the circular which will better align it with the voluntary measures set out in the mitigation standards.
Mitigation standards to reduce the incidental captures of seabirds in New Zealand commercial fisheries [PDF, 722 KB]
Email your feedback on the consultation document by 5pm on 12 May 2023.
We encourage you to use the submission template [DOCX, 78 KB]
Email your submissions to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
Ministry for Primary Industries
ATTN: HMS and Pacific Fisheries
Private Bag 12031
Tauranga 3143.
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
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