As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

MPI to prosecute over fishing-related albatross deaths



Thursday, 14 July 2016, 4:35 pm
Press Release: 
Ministry For Primary Industries

MPI to prosecute over fishing-related albatross deaths – new rules to be put in place
14 July 2016

The Ministry for Primary Industries is prosecuting a commercial fisherman in relation to the deaths of 38 albatrosses and is moving to put in place additional measures to help prevent further seabird deaths.

The charges relate to an incident off the West Coast in which 38 albatrosses died when a commercial fisherman fishing for Southern Bluefin Tuna allegedly failed to use a tori line - a mandatory mitigation device designed to scare birds away from baited hooks.

The skipper faces a maximum fine of $100,000 in relation to an offence under the Fisheries (Commercial Fishing) Regulations and forfeiture of the vessel used in the operation.
MPI Acting Director Fisheries Management, Steve Halley, says the decision to prosecute sends a clear message that the rules need to be followed.

“MPI works regularly with commercial fishers to reiterate the importance of bird mitigation and the need to comply with regulations designed to prevent seabird bycatch.


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