Hundreds of endangered sea turtles have been caught in New Zealand’s commercial fisheries since 2002, according to a recent report released by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

At least 80% of those turtles that are caught are leatherback turtles, most likely from their western Pacific subpopulation which is considered critically endangered. The captures occur overwhelmingly in the surface longline fishery off the east coast of the North Island. 

I spoke to Ingrid O’Sullivan, a Senior Adviser of Environmental Law at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, on the matter.