Stories
New Zealand Bans Set-Nets Permanently to Save Endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins
- •New Zealand has permanently banned set-net fishing within 8 nautical miles of the Otago Peninsula to protect yellow-eyed penguins, effective September 16.
- •The ban replaces a temporary measure and follows a drastic 80% decline in the mainland yellow-eyed penguin population, now at 117 breeding pairs.
- •A separate rule, effective October 1, limits fishing-related deaths to four yellow-eyed penguins annually, with escalating actions for exceeding this limit.
- •Scientists and conservationists argue that even four deaths are too many, especially given the species' critically low numbers and the disproportionate impact on future generations.
- •Beyond fishing nets, the penguins face threats from introduced predators, diseases like diphtheritic stomatitis and respiratory distress syndrome, and potential impacts from warming seas and bird flu.
Key Questions Answered
New Zealand permanently banned set-net fishing out to about 8 nautical miles around the Otago Peninsula, starting on 16 September following a July announcement and replacing a temporary 2025 ban. Additionally, a separate rule starting 1 October limits fishing-related deaths to four yellow-eyed penguins a year with an escalating response framework.
The mainland population of the yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, dropped from 739 breeding pairs during the 2008-09 season down to 117 pairs, representing a decline of over 80 percent. Furthermore, Fisheries New Zealand reported that 18 mainland yellow-eyed penguins have died in set nets since October 2019.
Penguins face terrestrial threats from introduced predators like dogs, cats, weasels, and rats, along with chick diseases such as diphtheritic stomatitis and respiratory distress syndrome. Warming seas and fishing pressure have also reduced juvenile red cod forcing penguins to eat blue cod, while bird flu (H5N1) remains a newly emerging worry.
