Underwater baiting could save seabirds

The Government is spending $350,000 on trialing of a new bait setting device that could help to eliminate seabird captures by tuna longliners.

Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash says the device developed by New Zealand tuna fisherman, Dave Kellian sets baited hooks underwater, out of the sight and diving depth of seabirds.

The device will be installed on a Nelson-based fishing vessel owned by Altair Fishing and put through its paces for 6 weeks during normal fishing.

Conservation Minister Eugene Sage says the fishing industry need to significantly reduce the thousands of seabirds which are killed as bycatch each year and their impact on other marine life globally.

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