​Shags are dying out in Panmure Basin, Councillor says

 One Auckland Councillor is calling for stronger protections for shag species in the Panmure Basin.

At the Environment and Climate Change committee on July 7 a notice of motion was passed  allowing Cr Josephine Bartley to advocate for a fishing hook ban in the Panmure basin to protect shags.

Originally Bartley was looking for council controls to protect the species but was told by Auckland Council staff that the issue was out of councils hands.

Bartley said that limited food sources and fish hooks being caught in shag’s necks was leading to a decline in numbers.

“Anything is better than the status quo,” Bartley said.

Local resident Corina Hooper feeds the shags in Panmure Basin daily and presented to the committee.
“Birds are not getting to breeding age… adult (shags) have a huge amount of pressure to find food that is already scarce,” Hooper said. “The colony is definity in trouble.”

Cr Alf Filipaina asked Hooper what the difference between a hook ban and a fishing ban would be.

Hooper said it was a matter of picking your battles. “Someone with a net, fishing for blue crab is not going to effect the colony,” Hooper said.

Cr Sharon Stewart called attention to the Harbour Bridge pouring light into the basin. “Are you aware that breeding of shags is disrupted because of the blue light?” Stewart asked Hooper.

Hooper confirmed that the light had impacted the shags. “Some of the birds are moving further down the estuary because of the light. They are being hit from all sides,” Hooper said. “Every bird needs to get rest. If you’ve got constant light on them it is not a natural environment.”

Chief of Strategy Megan Tyler said that while council did not have the tools to protect the species, iwi implementing a rāhui could be a solution.
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Cr Josephine Bartley was encouraged to advocate to both iwi and crown agencies with the help of council staff.