#Penguin caught in flounder net at Timaru's Caroline Bay fuels net ban call

JACK MONTGOMERIE

January 24 2016

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ

 

A little penguin, or korora, at Caroline Bay in Timaru.

Rescuing a penguin caught in a flounder net at Timaru's Caroline Bay has convinced a volunteer the birds need protection.
A squawking little penguin, or korora, had to be rescued on Friday night from a net which was too close to its colony by Marine Parade, Timaru Penguins coordinator Peter Bennett says.
The penguins began spontaneously nesting on the rocks by the road several years ago. Bennett, who coordinates the volunteer wildlife group, believes without a ban on fishing with nets by the rocks at night, the colony risks destruction.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ

 

Timaru Penguins coordinator Petter Bennett says a penguin was caught in a flounder net on Friday night and restrictions about the nets' use near the colony are needed.

"We're killing them, basically."

The penguin was about 30 metres from the rocks when one of its flippers, one of its legs and its neck became entangled in the net about 9.45pm, Bennett said on Saturday.
The penguin squawked and struggled until he and others at the scene freed it.
"It had a few wee wobbles but luckily another one came in at the same time and she followed that one in."

He said the people who had set the net were also upset they had unintentionally caught the penguin.
Bennett said dozens of tourists and locals came nightly to see the little  penguins. He said visitors who had come to watch the penguins on Friday were "not very impressed" by the incident.

However, he did not believe those who set the net had broken any rules. Bennett believed prohibiting net fishing near the rocks was necessary to ensure the penguins' safety in future.
"They've got to swim in and they swim in after dark."

Little penguins usually rest and feed between January and July. The penguins forage for food up to 25 kilometres offshore.
The Department of Conservation's website warns dogs and other introduced predators are the greatest threat to little penguins, but cars and set nets also kill some of them.
Bennett was not sure which Government department had the authority to impose such a ban, but he intended to take the matter further.

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