The Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2017 require you to complete and submit a Non-Fish or Protected Species (NFPS) report if there are any capture interactions with the following species:

• Seabirds
• Mammals (e.g. dolphins, seals)
• Reptiles (e.g. Turtles)
• Protected Fish Species (e.g. Manta Rays, Basking Sharks)
• Select Bottom Dwelling (Benthic) Organisms (Corals, Sponges, Bryozoans)

The Conservation Services Programme (CSP) defines non-fish capture events as “all interactions with fishing activity including captures by fishing gear, impacts against the vessel and its structures (i.e. deck strikes) and other non-fishing gear events (e.g. landing on vessel, marine mammals climbing up the stern ramp).” A deck strike is defined as “being when an animal collides/impacts with the vessel or its superstructure and is unable to leave the vessel of its own accord (either through injury or disorientation).”

You must report all capture interactions that occur during a fishing event on a single NFPS report that is linked to that fishing event. For example, if you capture a seabird and turtle in the same tow, record these on one NFPS report. You must complete and submit this report at the same time as the fishing event if the NFPS interaction happens during that fishing event.

You can report capture interactions that happen outside of fishing events as a separate NFPS report. This doesn’t need to link to a fishing event, but you must complete and submit the report by midnight of the day you became aware of the interaction. Separate NFPS reports are required for each interaction that occurs outside of fishing events (e.g. if two deck strikes occur at different times of day, you must report each one on separate reports).

Seabirds & Capture Codes

You must report all seabird captures regardless of whether the bird was captured as result of interacting with fishing gear (e.g. trawl nets) or not (e.g. deck strikes, landing on the vessel). Where a bird lands on the vessel, you only need to report interactions if it requires assistance to leave. You don’t need to report interactions where a bird lands on deck before flying away unassisted. You must provide a seabird capture code if the interaction occurs due to trawl, surface longline, bottom longline, or trot line fishing gear or a deck strike.

Corals, Sponges, Bryozoans

Corals, sponges, and bryozoans are the only types of benthic organisms required to be reported. Any other captured benthic organisms should be reported on disposal reports using the appropriate code(s).

Retaining Protected Species

You must have authorisation from either a DOC permit or a Fisheries New Zealand observer to retain protected fish and non-fish species (seabirds, mammals, reptiles, and most corals). It is illegal to interfere with any protected species, regardless of whether it is dead or alive, prior to returning it to the sea.

There are a range of resources available online to help you identify non-fish or protected species.

• DOC Document - A Fisher’s Guide: New Zealand Seabirds
• DOC Document – Coral Identification Guide
• MPI Document - Common Deepsea Invertebrates Guide
• MPI Document – NFPS Reporting Requirements

These species codes must only be used if you are fishing under a High Seas Permit.

If the seabird was caught due to an interaction with trawl fishing gear, use the appropriate code based on whether you think the bird was caught in the net or in the warps. Use the “other” code if you are unsure where the bird was caught or if it was not taken in the net or warps.

If the seabird was caught due to an interaction with surface longline, bottom longline, or trot line fishing gear, use the appropriate code based on whether you think the bird was caught while setting or hauling. Use the “other” code if you are unsure.

If the seabird is caught as a result of a deck strike, use the appropriate code.

A seabird capture code does not need to be provided for any fishing method other than trawl, surface longline, bottom longline, trot line, or a deck strike.