Local industry’s voluntary closure for hoiho

Local industry’s voluntary closure for hoiho

In support of our calls for better protection of hoiho during the breeding season, Dunedin set net fishers announced a voluntary set net closure between Taiaroa Head and Green Island and restrict fishing to night-time only in all other Otago waters.

“It’s great to hear the industry is engaged and prepared to take steps to protect hoiho at sea. It shows the whole community is unified in its concern for this taonga species,” says Claudia Palmer, spokesperson for Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust.

“Until we see the official multi-threat assessment from Fisheries NZ, it's unclear whether the proposed voluntary closure would be effective. Hoiho have a large range, and we must ensure the whole northern population has safe passage at sea.”

“We cannot afford for closures to cause displaced pressure on other foraging zones or on other species. A key area of concern is north of the Otago Peninsula. So, we would like to see the data that is informing this voluntary closure”

At least one hoiho has been caught during the night before. While it may mitigate some of the risk, it cannot eliminate the risk.

“The government must act swiftly to stop threats that are in our control. With the industry willing and engaged, we’d like to see the Minister put adequate protections in place at sea. For us, that looks like a complete regulatory closure of set nets across the whole range.”