Southern Seabird Solutions Trust empowers commercial fishermen and recreational anglers to reduce harm to seabirds and make a real difference out on the water.

We are an innovative alliance that includes representatives from the seafood industry, New Zealand government, WWF, Te Ohu Kaimoana and recreational angling sector. We take a cooperative and practical approach to seabird conservation.

Seabird Smart Fishing - A Collaborative Approach, is a video developed by Southern Seabirds, partners and sponsors. The video demonstrates the effective collaboration between the fishing industry, scientists and management agencies in developing and implementing solutions to mange seabird interactions in three separate commercial fisheries. Read more about the fisheries here. 

To play the video at a larger size, click on the HD or vimeo icon at the bottom right hand side of the image.     

Seabirds are hungry over summer because they are feeding their newly hatched chicks. Some of our migrating species, like black petrel, have just flown back home from South America.

Seabirds have excellent eyesight and a keen sense of smell - so baited hooks and any burley or fishy off-cuts floating in the water will bring them to your boat.

Avoid attracting birds by sinking bait out of sight fast and keeping bait and offal in a container with a lid while you fish. 

Birds don't like being sprayed with water - so if they are around your gear - throw a bucket of water to deter them. 

If a seabird gets caught on a hook - bring it on board with a net and follow the safe release guidelines.  Read our Fish seabird smart & safe seabird release card and find out more about fishing around seabirds here.

New Zealand is often called the seabird capital of the world.  Find out why and get to know a selection of our seabirds, some of which you might see at places around the coast over summer.  Click here to go to the latest profiles.