WELLINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has imposed an emergency ban on set net fishing around Otago Peninsula to protect the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced on Monday a three-month closure starting immediately, while officials prepared a public consultation on permanent measures to reduce penguin bycatch.
"I have directed officials to consult on what permanent measures could be put in place to reduce the impact of fishing on hoiho," Jones said.
The minister acknowledged the impact on local fishers but stressed the need for stronger protection than a voluntary closure offered by the industry.
Fisheries New Zealand will begin public consultation in the next few weeks on proposals including a longer-term net ban and an escalating response framework aimed at reducing hoiho bycatch in fisheries toward zero.
Hoiho, considered a cultural treasure in New Zealand, are among the world's rarest penguins. Its New Zealand's mainland and Stewart Island populations are classified as threatened.
A new government-commissioned scientific assessment, to be released soon, found the greatest threats to hoiho are starvation and predation, followed by fishing and disease.
