Urgent Fishing Ban Enacted to Protect Hoiho Penguins on Otago Peninsula

An emergency ban on set net fishing has been implemented around the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand to safeguard the region’s threatened population of hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguins. This immediate three-month prohibition aims to address concerns from conservation groups regarding the declining numbers of one of the world’s rarest penguin species.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported a staggering 80% decline in the northern hoiho population since 2008, dropping from 739 breeding pairs to just 143. The ban coincides with the penguins’ breeding season, which commenced in March 2024, a critical period for their survival. Conservation organizations, including the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust/Te Tautiaki Hoiho and the Environmental Law Initiative, had been advocating for this action for several months.

In a statement issued on March 11, 2024, Shane Jones, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, confirmed the implementation of the fishing ban, emphasizing the necessity of protecting the hoiho. He expressed that this decision was not taken lightly, being “deeply conscious” of the impact on local fishers’ livelihoods. Jones acknowledged his commitment to the fishing industry but stated that the dire situation of the penguins required urgent attention.

Previously, a four-nautical-mile set net ban was in place along the Otago coast. However, conservationists argued that this restriction was insufficient, as the hoiho often forage up to 20 nautical miles offshore. The threats faced by the hoiho are multifaceted, including disease, predation from introduced species, human disturbance, changes in diet, by-catch in fisheries, marine predation, and climate change.

Current estimates indicate that fewer than 100 yellow-eyed penguin chicks are present on Stewart Island and mainland New Zealand, with survival rates to breeding age remaining low. According to data from Seafood New Zealand and the Ministry of Primary Industries, 17 hoiho were killed in fishing incidents from October 2019 to June 2025, primarily due to by-catch in set nets.

Jones highlighted a new scientific assessment commissioned by Fisheries New Zealand, set to be publicly released soon, which identifies starvation and predation as the greatest threats to the northern hoiho, followed by fishing and disease. The emergency fishing ban is expected to provide immediate relief to the struggling penguin population and contribute to their long-term recovery efforts.

As conservation groups and government officials navigate this critical juncture for the hoiho, the focus remains on balancing ecological preservation with the livelihoods of those dependent on fishing in the region. The outcomes of this ban will be closely monitored over the coming months as stakeholders work together to protect these unique penguins from further decline.