The aim of the cameras would be to ensure there was no bycatch of birds of marine mammals and to keep track of the fish being caught and discarded (file image). Photo: Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The government says upgrading technology is one of the reasons for the three-year delay of cameras on boats.
Twenty-three cameras on boats are scheduled to go live on 1 August, with a further 70 by the end of the year, and up to 300 by early 2025.
The cameras on inshore commercial fishing boats were supposed to start rolling out from July 2020.
The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rachel Brooking told Morning Report the hold up has been around the technology.
"Every fishing boat is different so every situation to get the electronics and cameras in is bespoke.
"We've also upgraded the technology from the proof of concept one, there is AI happening now."
'The hold up has been around the technology and making sure we get it right' - Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rachel Brooking
Brooking said with the older version, all the data had to be put on a disk and then couriered to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Now all the data would be transferred digitally.
The camera monitoring would help the government ensure that only fish are being caught and not bycatch of birds and marine mammals, Brooking said.
They would also give data on what what is being discarded.
Brooking said the fishing industry is paying $10 million for the technology.
The camera rollout followed trials along the west coast of the North Island focused on protecting Māui dolphin habitat, she said.