Since 1998, the New Zealand Sea Lion has been under grave threat as an endangered species of animals. Its population has dropped by more than 50%, and this has prompted a catch limit of 76. This refers to the fact that sea lions became part of the endangered species of animals because squid fishing uses methods that also trap the sea lions. Thus, they became known as the bycatch of squid fishing.

Last year, the conservation organizations submitted a request for the New Zealand authorities to adjust this bypass figure. They also want the figure to go down annually until there is no bypass number.

The fear is that the New Zealand sea lion is on the verge of becoming extinct. Currently, it has been given the highest level of endangerment, that of being nationally critical. For the first 6 months of 2010, the estimated sea lions that were killed because of squid fishing is about 40. That means 40 sea lions died needlessly from fishing nets. The figure for the last 6 months of 2010 has yet to be determined.

Conservationists have been able to estimate the total population of New Zealand sea lions to be about 9,800. If 70 to 80 are killed every year which includes baby sea lions, the population will soon reach less than a thousand in a few years. In fact, the number of sea lion pups have dramatically decreased.

Their concern is if fishing nets catch more female sea lions than males, the chances of baby sea lion pups increasing also fall dramatically. It’s more than just a simple case of adding or subtracting the numbers. For this reason, conservationists have described the situation as “heading at breakneck speed” to zero population.

Something must be done to change the way squid fishing is done. Modern technology should be able to find a safer fishing net to use, if not something other than the nets. Only the government of New Zealand can take the lead with this one so that fishermen don’t suffer an economic trauma, and the sea lions are kept safe.

A sanctuary has also been suggested that would keep squid fishermen away while allowing other kinds of fishing to continue. The people behind the conservation drive are pleading that for even just the critical time when squid fishing is in season, certain areas be designated as off limits.

This problem has been around for more than 10 years, and so it’s about the time to make an adjustment in the strategy to keep the decline from deteriorating even more.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.