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Summary
The 2023-24 fishing year was marked by some major operational changes for the Liaison Programme and increasingly targeted mitigation efforts across inshore and HMS fleets. The rollout of electronic monitoring (EM) substantially increased visibility of protected species captures, which resulted in more trigger responses and more focused engagement with vessels operating in higher‑risk areas or times. At the same time, reduced observer coverage created challenges for verifying mitigation use, which highlighted the need for further work to develop EM‑based audit processes.
Liaison activity remained strong, with 146 PSRMPs reviewed, 11 new PSRMPs developed, 27 observer audits followed-up, and 214 trigger events followed-up from 73 different vessels, which is almost a 40% increase from number of triggers followed-up last year (i.e. 88 triggers from 44 vessels). Engagement was stable across the fleets and a new Liaison Officer was brought onboard in the lower South Island region. Across all methods, alignment with seabird mitigation standards continued to improve, particularly in surface longline where uptake of hook-shielding devices and the use of ‘three out of three’ increased ahead of new regulatory requirements which came into effect in October 2024.
Mitigation priorities vary by fishing method but consistently focus on reducing protected species interactions through practical changes. Surface longline advice emphasised hook weighting, hook-shielding device use, tori lines, and managing high‑risk periods (e.g. full moons), while improving reporting and species identification. Bottom longline advice focused on effective haul mitigation, tori line deployment, and resolving practical challenges in meeting regulatory standards. Inshore trawl advice prioritised reducing seabird warp strikes, improving offal management, and addressing marine mammal risk (notably Hector’s dolphin), though mitigation options were notably limited in some cases. Set net advice targeted reductions in dolphin, hoiho, and seabird bycatch through area avoidance, dolphin pingers, and improved reporting to better understand interactions. Purse and Danish seine methods have lower risk, so advice emphasised maintaining existing good practices. Across all methods, key themes are strengthening PSRMPs, improving reporting (supported by cameras), and targeting high‑risk vessels and events.
A coordinated cross‑agency response to the East Coast South Island southern bluefin tuna surface longline (SLL) season demonstrated the value of real‑time monitoring and rapid mitigation adjustments, helping to keep seabird captures within expected levels and work towards reduced capture rates. The liaison programme’s first annual workshop reinforced the need for a more risk‑based, output‑focused model, improved data access, and clearer cross‑agency roles. Unfortunately, the development of a shared platform liaison database was delayed again, and the business case was due to be reconsidered at the end of the 2023-24 fishing year. Overall, efforts throughout the year strengthened targeted mitigation, improved fleet‑specific risk management, and advanced the programme toward a more responsive, data‑driven approach as EM becomes fully established.
Publication information
Fischer, T. & Hewetson, E. (2026) MIT2021-01: Protected Species Liaison Programme 2023-24 Annual Report. Unpublished Technical Report for the Department of Conservation, 50 p.