Long-term measures to reduce the risk to hoiho from fishing will come into force on the 16th of September 2026.
Last year, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones established a temporary emergency ban on set-net fishing in a high-risk area around the Otago Peninsula to protect hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins). This allowed for a review of scientific evidence and public consultation before deciding the next steps.
He decided to make this closure permanent and to establish a new, escalating response framework called the Fishing Related Mortality Limit (FRML) so he can act quickly and decisively to increase protections if needed.
Hoiho is a taonga species, and the northern population that lives on the lower South Island and Rakiura/Stewart Island is classified as nationally endangered.
Jones said that last year’s risk assessment projected that to stabilise the northern hoiho population, it was necessary to halve deaths from all causes, and he considered that the new protections would achieve this goal for fisheries bycatch.
At the same time, Jones wanted to be very clear that fisheries bycatch is not the main reason the northern hoiho population is in a precarious state. The major risks to hoiho are disease, predation, and starvation, but implementing long-term measures to reduce fisheries bycatch will help.
The FRML sets limits on accidental capture of hoiho, with accompanying actions, including the potential for further closures if necessary. The annual FRML for the northern hoiho population has been set at four a year.
“This is not a target; it is a bottom line. It will further incentivise fishers to do everything possible to prevent hoiho bycatch, as I will put further restrictions on fishing in the area in place to ensure this limit is not exceeded,” he said.
“I thank the many people who made their views known during public consultation.”
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