Foes put differences aside to save rare bird

A rare native bird is facing a brighter future now the fishing industry and conservationists have put aside their differences in a bid to save them.

Black petrels, which migrate from the Hauraki Gulf to South America each year, are often killed when they congregate around fishing boats.

The new agreement sees fisherman being educated on the best ways to deal with the birds as well as new means of deterring them from approaching boats.

"I think it's certainly a step in the right direction especially when you can pull such a diverse group of people around a table," says Dave Moore, of the Leigh Commercial Fishermen's Association.

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