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Fisheries New Zealand and the Department of Conservation are seeking public feedback on a new plan for the conservation of sharks.
The draft National Plan of Action Sharks 2022 sets out directions for the conservation, management and sustainability of sharks caught in New Zealand waters.
The aim is to deliver the long-term viability, biodiversity and functional role of sharks in marine ecosystems, and that any utilisation of sharks in Aotearoa is sustainable.
Fisheries New Zealand’s director fisheries management Emma Taylor says as apex predators, sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
“We’ve made good progress towards protecting sharks through introducing a ban on shark finning practices in New Zealand waters in 2014, and by careful management within the Quota Management System,” Taylor says. “The draft plan aims to strengthen protection for sharks by ensuring best practice is followed to return any unwanted sharks to the sea alive with the best possible chances of survival.”
Department of Conservation aquatic director Kirstie Knowles says that due to the biological characteristics of sharks, they can take a long time to mature and only produce a small number of young with low rates of survival.
“So it’s important that we do everything we can to maximise the survival of any unwanted and protected sharks that are caught in our waters,” Knowles says.
“We encourage anyone with an interest to provide feedback on the draft plan before consultation closes on September 13,” Taylor says.
A copy of the draft plan and further information, including how to make a submission, can be found online at: www.mpi.govt.nz/national-plan-of-action-sharks-2022
