Department of Conservation

INT2022-02 Identification of seabirds captured in New Zealand fisheries

This project focuses on the identification of seabird species that are captured in New Zealand commercial fisheries and the mode of their capture.

Project Objectives :
1. To determine, through examination of returned seabird specimens, the taxon, sex, and where possible age-class and provenance of seabirds killed in New Zealand fisheries (for returned dead specimens).
2. To detail the injuries, body condition and stomach contents and, where possible, the likely cause of mortality (for returned dead specimens).
3. To report any changes in the protocol used for the necropsy of seabirds (for returned dead specimens).
4. To determine, through examination of photographs, the taxon and, where possible, sex, age-class and provenance of seabirds captured in New Zealand fisheries (for live captures or dead specimens discarded at sea).