The Impact of Commercial Fishing on Marine Life in Aotearoa and Requirement of Cameras w/ Liz Sooten: 18 January, 2024

As of Tuesday January 16th, certain fishing vessels operating near Aotearoa’s shore are now required to have cameras on board in order to get a more accurate understanding of the marine mammals and seabirds being injured or killed due to commercial fishing.

Between September 20th, 2023 and January 8th, 2024, the deaths of 6 Hector’s dolphins in fishing nets were identified.

Overseas, camera monitoring on board commercial fishing vessels has become standard practice. As of last year in Aotearoa, only 25% coverage of the country’s entire fleet has been reached.

Beth spoke with Professor at the University of Otago, Liz Sooten, about the impact of commercial fishing on marine mammals and seabirds in Aotearoa, and non-harmful approaches to commercial fishing.