By Celsias
Posted on Jan. 12, 2012. Listed in:
New Zealand sea lions could be extinct within decades if the Government accepts Agriculture Ministry advice on how to manage the species, a University of Otago expert says.
However, sea lion researcher Bruce Robertson, from the University of Otago, said the best evidence available – including research done by the Conservation Department last year – was that fishing was the most plausible reason for the dramatic population decline.The number of Auckland Island pups being born has already halved since 1998
MAF's paper proposes that there should be no limit imposed on the number of sea lions accidentally caught in trawling nets in the fishery .It goes on to suggest that "The most recent research strongly suggests that the direct effect of fishing-related mortality on the New Zealand sea lion population is minimal,"
DOC research however concluded that sea lion bycatch at current estimated levels could result in the species becoming "functionally extinct" by 2035.
Fishing bycatch – including animals who drowned or died of injuries even after escaping trawling nets – was "the most significant known negative impact".
Dr Robertson also advocated the use of squid jigs – a type of hook – rather than trawling nets. "If you did that, tomorrow there would be no more bycatch."
