With at-risk flesh-footed shearwaters returning to NZ shores over the next couple of months, DOC reminds recreational fishers and beachgoers to take extra care to protect these seabirds from fishing gear and plastic waste.
Saturday, 10 October, marks World Migratory Bird Day for the southern hemisphere and DOC is focusing attention on the flesh-footed shearwater, a migratory seabird with distinctive pink feet and bill.
DOC Principal Science Advisor Graeme Taylor says flesh-footed shearwaters mainly nest on offshore islands around northern New Zealand, so boaties in particular are likely to see them in popular fishing areas around the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana this spring and summer.
"They're interesting birds. Their raucous calls at night sound like a bunch of brawling cats – when you hear it, you won't forget it – and they have a marvellous beak with a strong, sharp hook that's perfect for scooping up prey like fish and krill.
"People can really help flesh-footed shearwaters by correctly disposing of plastics when on or near a beach and, if you're out fishing, taking precautions so the bird doesn't get snarled up in your hooks and fishing lines. Avoiding fishing near seabird flocks is a good first step."
New Zealand led the listing of flesh-footed shearwater and other endangered seabirds under the international Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species in March 2026. The listing helps to increase awareness of the threats to these oceanic seabirds and provides an avenue for greater international cooperation to protect these birds.
"Shearwaters are regular followers of recreational and commercial fishing boats around the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty in the summer months. They often try and steal fishing baits, so need protection from fishing hooks," Graeme says.
Fishers can help protect shearwaters by:
- Covering up or cleaning away bait and scraps. Shearwaters can smell them from a long distance.
- Sinking baited hooks deep and fast with weighted sinkers.
- Sinking berley (fish bait) deeper than 10 m, so seabirds can't get at it.
- Avoiding using braid or casting lines when birds are around your boat.
Graeme says there's also increasing evidence of marine plastics killing chicks.
"Postmortems of dead shearwater chicks in colonies around New Zealand and Australia are revealing stomachs full of plastic.
"Plastic pollution is a major hazard for seabird chicks. People can make a difference when they're out naturing in coastal areas by disposing of all plastics properly. Even plastic bottle lids have made their way into chicks' stomachs."
The arrival of migratory birds to New Zealand this spring and early summer may bring increased risk of H5 bird flu.
People should be alert for signs of H5 bird flu and know when to report. If you see a group of three or more sick or dead birds or other wildlife such as seals, report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz.
Do not touch sick or dead wildlife and keep pets away too.
Wild birds can become sick or die from a variety of causes, including injury, weather events, starvation, toxins, and disease. While not all bird deaths are due to H5 bird flu, reporting groups of sick or dead birds helps authorities investigate and respond appropriately.
Flesh-footed shearwaters migrate during the southern winter to seas off Japan where the birds grow new feathers. They return in October to breed on northern offshore islands, plus one island in the Cook Strait region. The species also breeds on a number of islands off Australia and in the Indian Ocean. Their populations in the Hauraki Gulf are in decline and their conservation status in New Zealand is currently under review.
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