The world’s smallest little penguins are making history and surprising experts in what is one of the earliest egg-laying seasons in its history, despite threats to the marine environment.

The Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony have begun laying eggs almost three months earlier than usual, indicating a healthy and successful marine environment.

Now experts are urging the public to do their part to protect this environment following the death of a male little penguin after it was discovered tangled in a discarded fishing line.

The Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony Science and Environmental Manager Philippa Agnew says a few days before Easter the team came across an injured penguin that was tangled in a fishing line near popular fishing spot, Holmes Wharf.

“The line was wrapped around it so tight that the penguin had lost its leg,” Philippa says.

“You could also see the penguin was then trying to use its flipper to get onto the rocks which did damage to the point that the bone was sticking out of its flipper.”

“Bone infection was likely. An injured animal like that can’t live a healthy and pain-free life in the wild.

“We had to have it euthanised to end its suffering. It was the only humane thing to do because it couldn’t survive in the wild with only one leg”.

Philippa warns about the consequences of discarded fishing gear, which is a monumental problem for all kinds of marine animals.

“The fishing line obviously wasn’t lost on purpose, but the person also probably didn’t consider the impacts that could have on the wildlife.

“This sort of thing happens more than people realise,” Philippa says.

The distressing damage inflicted by the fishing line. Photo: Supplied.

The arrival of early penguin eggs was a welcome surprise after the upsetting discovery of the injured penguin.

During a monitoring round, the colony discovered that the penguins have begun egg-laying for the season.

"We expected the season to be early, but this is the first time for our colony - and second recorded for the country - that we have had eggs laid in April”, says Philippa.

Little penguins typically begin laying eggs between late July and mid-November, spending April and May feeding at sea in preparation for the nesting season.

“Egg-laying is very food-driven so to have eggs this early means we have good food close to the colony. It tells us that things are looking good for the season,” she says.

As a bonus, the colony has also noticed a large number of penguins coming onto shore during evening viewings which is another indicator of a good food source close by.