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CSP observer report: 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 (PDF, 626K)

Summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC), through the Conservation Services Programme(CSP), has a statutory role to monitor and collect data on the interactions between commercial fisheries and protected species. In order to fulfil this role, Government observers are placed on commercial fishing vessels operating in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).Protected species known to interact with commercial fishing operations include seabirds,marine mammals, marine turtles and protected fish species. Protected corals are landed in some fisheries. The information collected by observers can identify where the most significant interactions are occurring and can inform development and application of strategies to minimise adverse impacts.

This report summarises the observed interactions (mortalities and specimens released alive) between protected species and commercial fishing vessels for the period 1 July 2009 to 30
June 2010. In total, 783 protected seabirds, mammals and fish of approximately 54 taxa were observed interacting with the commercial fishing fleet. Approximately 12 tonnes of coral was also observed bycaught. Interactions are grouped by fishery, fishing method and area. Information is presented at a coarse level to inform where fishing effort, observer coverage and captures occur so that potential gaps in monitoring can be identified along with high risk areas and time periods in various fisheries.