11106 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries

11106 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Will the Minister implement stricter regulations, such as fishing-related mortality limits or bycatch kill limits, to protect leatherback turtles and if not why not?

Hon Shane Jones: I am advised that historically there have been low numbers of leatherback turtle interactions with commercial fisheries (average of 14 annually between 2009-2020). The interactions are usually reported in the surface longline fishery and the majority of turtles are reported as released alive (around 96 percent). There was a spike in reported turtle interactions in 2020/21 that has not continued in subsequent years. I am further advised that Fisheries New Zealand and the Department of Conservation have a joint working group to continue to monitor and manage this issue as necessary. Actions include mandating the use of ‘circle hooks’ in 2023 to help mitigate the impacts of fishing on turtles.