Summary
Acoustic Harassment Devices were not found to be effective in deterring New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) from mid-water trawls in the New Zealand hoki fishery. Sea Lion Escape Devices are undergoing testing in New Zealand˙s hoki trawl fishery (for fur seals) and the squid trawl fishery (for Hookers˙s sea lion). Preliminary results indicate squid and fish loss via the escape hatch was minimal; in the hoki fishery, fish loss was confined to fast swimming species, including jack mackerel and warehou.