New data has given a detailed insight into the number of protected species being killed by commercial fishers.
In total, 160 albatrosses, 24 fur seals and six Hector's dolphins were killed in three months this year.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said the reported figures are "expected" - but a leading academic argued it's just the "tip of the iceberg".
Hector's dolphins are one of the world's smallest dolphins and only found in New Zealand.
Between January to the end of March this year, six were killed in trawl nets, Fisheries New Zealand figures show.
"We've seen an increase in the reported number of Hector's dolphin captures, again in line with the numbers that we expect," Fisheries NZ science director Simon Lawrence told Newshub.
But Otago University Emeritus Professor Liz Slooten notes only a small proportion of video from cameras on vessels is currently being reviewed.
"This is... still the tip of the iceberg that we're looking at," she said. "This is not the total number of dolphin deaths in that three-month period."
The six dolphins were caught off Timaru and Banks Peninsula.
But the limit for Timaru is 12 Hector's dolphins and in Banks Peninsula it's 20.
"There are serious problems with how these limits are set and even more serious problems once the limits are reached… what is actually done," said Slooten.
If too many are caught, options can include restrictions on the type of fishing, or an entire fishery can be shut down.
Fisheries New Zealand told Newshub the science behind mortality limits is always being reviewed.
It also noted that there are a range of other actions that can be taken.
These include:
- Requesting an immediate "move-on" by the vessel, vacating the vicinity of the capture (known as the 'move-on rule');
- Direct engagement between the Department of Conservation's protected species liaison officer, Fisheries New Zealand, and the fisher to review the circumstances surrounding each capture;
- Confirmation that the vessel was operating in accordance with fisheries regulations designed to reduce the risk of protected species captures; and
- Review of on-board camera footage associated with each capture event.
Along with the Hector's dolphins,
- 160 albatrosses were killed, plus;
- 24 fur seals;
- 42 petrels;
- 38 shearwaters;
- 2 yellow-eyed penguins; and
- 2 baleen whales.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones told Newshub interactions with protected species are inevitable when out fishing.
"Whenever you're in a wildlife industry, there is always going to be trade-offs and sure, some critters are going by the way we are making changes," he said.
MPI said it's been a busy season for longliners targeting bluefin tuna and those vessels recently had cameras installed.
"As a consequence of those things we have certainly seen a reported increase in captures of seabirds," said Lawrence.
One-hundred-and-fifty commercial fishing vessels already have cameras and another 80 to 90 vessels will have them by February 2025.
Jones is reviewing the camera programme - but has ruled out meddling with progress to date.
"I have absolutely no agenda or authority to strip cameras off boats where they are currently installed," he told Newshub.
"Cameras on boats will remain," he added.
Jones said the key areas the review will consider is the cost of cameras, some concerns about privacy and he wants to ensure cameras are not used to punish fishers too severely.
He said he campaigned on reducing the role of cameras but also acknowledged he's constrained by the views of his Cabinet colleagues and understands that most in the industry are not opposed to the technology.
He's "cracking the whip", he said, and hopes to have a paper outlining any changes before Cabinet within a month.
