Gill Nets

Hector's Dolphin  Map  Resources

Gill Nets Kill Dolphins

• A set net is a type of gill net. Gill nets not anchored to the seabed are called drift nets.
• Drift nets over 1 kilometre long were banned in New Zealand waters in 1989.
• Set nets strip inshore waters of marine life. They kill nearly every fish, bird and marine mammal that swims into them.
• These types of nets are among the most wasteful and indiscriminate fishing methods ever developed.
• Set nets are used widely in New Zealand waters by recreational and commercial fishers.

Between 1973 and 1993 approximately 50 yellow-eyed penguins, 730 shearwaters, 250 shags and 250 Hectors dolphins were reported drowned in gill nets. And lots of drownings are never reported! It is compulsory for fishers to report catching marine mammals or seabirds, but very few do.

This is a sketch of a gill net. It has red floats at the top and for set nets, is weighted down at the bottom to anchor it to the seabed.

If you would like to know about the regulations for using gill nets around New Zealand contact the Ministry of Fisheries (www.fish.govt.nz) or the Department of Conservation (www.doc.govt.nz).

Write to the Minister of Fisheries or the Minister of Conservation, and tell them why it is so important that gill nets be banned from areas where Hector’s dolphins live.

If you ever see a dolphin stranded on the beach call the Department of Conservation. Even if you get to the dolphin too late and it has died, still call DOC because the dolphin may help scientists learn more about the species.

Don't use gill nets if you go fishing in the sea, use a fishing line instead.