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MIT2018-01: Protected species engagement project report (PDF, 2,099 K)

Summary 

Findings from project MIT2016-01 identified the need for producing pictorial guides on protected species handling and short videos demonstrating deployment of key mitigation gear supported with additional, existing identification tools. The overarching objective for these resources is to reduce the negative impact of commercial fishing on protected species by providing clear and concise information on current mitigation methods and best practice guidelines. 

Six mitigation videos (tori lines, bird bafflers, sink rates, hook shielding devices, discard management and light management) and a protected species handling guide were developed in English and translated into five languages; Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Ukrainian. A specific section of the DOC website was created to house these new resources alongside existing identification guides (view the Resources for Fishers page here). Social media was utilised to communicate the availability of the resources to fishers and the wider public. These will also be shown and distributed to crew via vessel visits conducted by Protected Species Liaison officers.

Publication information

Tidswell, P. 2020. Protected species engagement project. Final Report prepared by Port Group for the Conservation Services Programme, Department of Conservation. 16p.