Fishing boats in New Zealand will have cameras installed: why is this necessary

All commercial surface longline fishing vessels of a new class in New Zealand will now be equipped with cameras to record fishing methods. This will allow the country to better monitor whether fishermen are catching mammals accidentally.

As part of a program to improve bycatch reporting, $68 million has been allocated over four years, according to NewsHub.

Bruce Robertson, a professor of zoology at the University of Otago, said that government data shows constant underreporting of bycatch of New Zealand sea lions, fur seals, and common dolphins.

This occurs when fishermen are fishing for fish, and mammals accidentally get caught in nets and die through no fault of their own.

"Cameras are a good tool to ensure proper bycatch reporting, which is a requirement under New Zealand fishing laws. It is not illegal to accidentally kill a marine mammal during commercial fishing in New Zealand waters if it is reported," said Bruce Robertson.

Observers on fishing vessels have not shown the required effectiveness, as they cannot monitor the nets constantly and on every fishing trip.

Fishermen were consulted on the phased deployment of the cameras, which began last August and will cover approximately 85% of the commercial catch in the coastal zone by February 2025.

Data from the cameras will help scientists obtain more comprehensive data on marine mammal populations and the risks they face.