Tougher action by govt needed to stop seabird deaths

The government's being told it's got to toughen up its action plan to stop thousands of seabirds being killed by the fishing industry. Between three thousand and fourteen thousand seabirds died in nets or from hooks last year. Fishers are being encouraged to use plastic shields on hooks, restrict when they dump fish waste overboard and avoid areas where there are lots of seabirds. Forest and Bird spokesperson Sue Maturin told our reporter Harry Lock while the plan is better than the last one it is still not good enough.