Published:  

June 2015
Annual update on the protected species bycatch newsletter which is half way through its term.

Summary

Seabirds flocking around the back of a fishing vessel. Photo: Johanna Pierre.
Seabirds flocking around the back of a fishing vessel

The objective of Conservation Services Programme project MIT2014-01 is to produce a bimonthly newsletter to communicate protected species-related information to commercial fishermen. This project is now halfway through its term, with six issues of the newsletter ‘Bycatch Bylines’ produced to date. Articles cover best practice mitigation methods, new and emerging mitigation measures, work underway to develop bycatch reduction approaches, current events of relevance to fishers, and other protected species information relevant to commercial fishing. Key references are also provided, to facilitate reader access to additional information. The target audience for the newsletter comprises commercial fishers and others involved in the fishing industry. Recipients include holders of fishing quota and annual catch entitlement, seafood company representatives, Seafood New Zealand’s Sector Representative Entities and Commercial Stakeholder Organisations, Ministry for Primary Industries regional office staff, the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen, and individuals working in the fishing industry or on fisheries bycatch issues. Currently, the newsletter is circulated to around 1,500 recipients. It is distributed in three forms, as an html newsletter delivered via email, an A4 2-page pdf file distributed electronically, or a hard copy newsletter mailed to recipients who have indicated a preference for this medium, or who do not have an electronic point of contact. The second year of the project provides for the development and circulation of another 6 newsletters. At the end of the project, a final report will be produced.

Publication information

Pierre, P. 2015. Protected species bycatch newsletter. Annual progress report. Report prepared by Johanna Pierre Environmental Consulting Ltd. for the New Zealand Department of Conservation, Wellington. 9p.

Contact

Conservation Services Programme
Department of Conservation
PO Box 10-420
Wellington 6143

Email: csp@doc.govt.nz

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