Squid fishery closed after trawlers kill 80 sea lions

6.00pm

The Auckland Islands squid fishery was closed today because too many sea lions were being killed in trawling nets, Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson said.

The closure was effective from midday.

Mr Hodgson said about 80 sea lions had been killed in nets since the squid season opened on February 1 near the islands about 320km south of Stewart Island. The limit is 70.

The fishery had been closed due to excessive sea lion kills in six of the past eight seasons, he said in a statement.

- NZPA