Failure to report seabird and fish death 'commonplace' in industry, fishing company boss saysCECIL ALEXANDER Modern fishing boats are required to have a number of mitigation measures to reduce potential harm to seabirds. A fishing company director says failure to report the deaths of seabirds and non-quota fish species is "commonplace" within the industry. Andrew Robson, who runs Impulse Fishing Co. Ltd., operating from Neils Beach in South Westland, also admitted failing to report approximately 20 accidental seabird deaths per year between July 2011 and August 2014. Forest & Bird spokesman Geoff Keey said the admission by a fishing company director that his company did not report bycatch, and his claim this was a widespread practice, was exactly why cameras were needed on boats. Keey said he had asked the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to investigate Robson's admission of failing to report seabird deaths – a crime under the Fisheries Act.

Source: Stuff February 16, 2018 03:11 UTC