New Zealand squid fishing vessels that operate in the area around the Auckland Islands - a group of sub-Antarctic islands south of New Zealand - sometimes encounter New Zealand sea lions.  Accidental capture of these large marine mammals does occur, however the industry has worked hard over recent years, and has successfully reduced the incidence of sea lion mortalities significantly.

These creatures are considered endangered because of their low number of breeding sites (rookeries), which makes them vulnerable to biological threats such as disease. 

While it has been proven that fishing does not threaten the sustainability of the population, and is not a factor in the endangered status of these mammals, the industry is focused on ensuring that their activities mitigate any sea lion mortalities.  Innovations in trawl gear, restrictions on fishing near the sea lions' rookery, and crew training have all been tactics used to reduce sea lion mortality as a result of fishing.

The Ministry of Fisheries has consulted on the 2008/09 Operational Plan to manage the squid fishery's interaction with sea lions.  The initial position paper can be seen on the Ministry of Fisheries website »

Sea lion facts - here is what is known:

• New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookei, also known as Hooker's sea lion) occur primarily in the sub-Antarctic, with some animals present in southern parts of the South Island
• The total population has been estimated as approximately 14 500, exclusive of pups
• Sea lions are gazetted as a threatened species under the Marine Mammals Protection Act because they have a restricted breeding range
• The main colonies are on the Auckland and Campbell Islands
• Small numbers of sea lions are accidentally killed in trawl fisheries, with most interactions occurring in the squid fishery around the Auckland Islands (part of the SQU 6T Quota Management Area)
• Population modelling under Government direction, using an extensive set of data from annual monitoring of the breeding colonies, shows that the fishery has only a small effect on the population
• Changes in the sea lion population size are largely related to processes other than fishing mortalities, including bacterial epidemics and natural variation in breeding and survival
• The sea lion population on the Auckland Islands recovered following the cessation of commercial sealing, and is currently thought to be near to the maximum size that the environment can sustain.  Sea lions have recently started breeding in the South Island.

Squid fishery facts – here is what is known:

• The squid fishery is one of New Zealand's most important and valuable fisheries
• In 2007 almost 56 000 tonnes of squid were exported, with a value of over $86 million
• Fishing effort in the SQU 6T fishery is restricted to limit sea lion mortalities
• Rules for managing fishing effort are tested against a population model, and must allow the Auckland Islands sea lion population to maintain a high population size with high probability
• The management targets aim to maximise the probability of sea lion dispersal to form new colonies
• Quota holders are willing to voluntarily restrict effort, although modelling indicates that sea lion management targets can be met with no restriction on the current fishery
• All vessels in the SQU 6T fishery use an approved "Sea Lion Escape Device" (SLED) in their trawl nets
• SLEDs contain a grid which excludes sea lions from the trawl cod end, and an escape hole which allows sea lions to swim out of the net
• The use of SLEDs has been very effective in reducing the number of sea lions landed dead on fishing vessels
• Ministry of Fisheries observers monitor a high proportion (47% in 2008) of trawls in the SQU 6T fishery
• Research which aims to assess the survival of sea lions following their escape from trawls has proved scientifically challenging, and is ongoing
• It is not feasible to use the jigging method for catching squid off the Auckland Islands, as it is unsafe in the extreme weather conditions of the area.
• Underwater cameras on SLEDs on trawl nets are designed to show how many sea lions exit the net safely.  Click here to see a sea lion checking out an SLED »

Credit: Penny Royal, Deepwater Group Ltd