WELLINGTON, July 3 (Xinhua) -- A new Threat Management Plan released on Monday will help protect endangered New Zealand sea lions, said Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.
The New Zealand sea lion Threat Management Plan sets out a five-year program of engagement, targeted research, direct mitigation, and regular monitoring at all known breeding sites, according to a release.
The New Zealand sea lion is classified as "Nationally critical" and there are fewer than 12,000 left. Ninety-eight percent of breeding occurs on Campbell and the Auckland Islands, but there are also small populations on the lower South Island and Stewart Island.
This plan, supported by a government funding package of 2.8 million NZ dollars (2 million U.S. dollars) announced last month, sets out practical actions and measures to mitigate threats to sea lions and will help their recovery, said Guy.
"The threats to sea lions are varied and no single factor is solely responsible for the decline in sea lion numbers," he said.
While disease and commercial fishing are the greatest threats for sea lions at the Auckland Islands, incidents involving humans, such as shootings, are a greater threat to sea lions on New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island, Guy said, adding that poor habitat and pups getting stuck in holes are the greatest threats on Campbell Island.
Management of commercial fishing interactions with sea lions will remain a key focus for Ministry for Primary Industries, he said, adding that fishers are keen to do the right thing and avoid bycatch. Sea Lion Exclusion Devices (SLEDs) have been effective in reducing sea lion captures and there will be further research into their operation.
Barry said a community liaison officer will be employed to help address the human threats, facilitate growth of the population and foster a positive reaction to having more sea lions on the New Zealand coastline.
Other practical steps will include regular monitoring of all four breeding sites including more frequent monitoring on Campbell Island, the second largest breeding colony, and developing more solutions to reduce pup mortality on Campbell Island, Barry said.
