Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Hope For NI Hector’s Dolphins

The government’s management plan for North Island Hector’s dolphins, announced today, could hardly be better, says WWF.

“We’re so pleased that the Ministry of Fisheries has created a management plan which reflects the North Island Hector’s dolphin’s critically endangered status. The government has really listened to the concerns of environmentalists and taken positive, decisive action”, says WWF Chief Executive Jo Breese.

“It’s almost all good news - the size of the area banned to commercial and recreational set netting is substantial. Also the one hundred percent observer coverage on trawling and Danish seining fishing vessels in the area is vital to ensure that these operations are not impacting on the dolphin population.”

“We are concerned that the area inside harbour entrances won’t be covered by the ban, but we do agree there’s a lack of information on how the dolphins use those areas”, says Jo Breese.

“We hope that the public will continue to report sightings to WWF’s Sightings and Strandings Network - that way we can build up a better picture of the dolphins’ movements, and consequently determine whether inner harbours need to be protected or not.”

“WWF instigated a stakeholder workshop on the dolphins in Wellington in May last year. It resulted in the Northern Inshore Fisheries’ consultation process, which motivated the government to draw up the management plan we see today”, says Jo Breese. “This is a great example of the way that NGOs, industry and government can work together to achieve positive conservation outcomes.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“North Island Hector’s dolphins aren’t out of trouble yet, but this is an excellent first step.”

ENDS

Sightings and Strandings Network: 0800-HECTORS (432-867) or www.hectorsdolphin.org.nz

Facts

- There could be just 100 North Island Hector’s dolphins left.

- Even one accidental death every five years could drive NI Hector’s dolphins to extinction.

- They live between New Plymouth and Dargaville on the West Coast of the North Island, mainly in shallow waters around river mouths.

- Their presence in shallow waters makes them exceptionally vulnerable to capture in set nets, both recreational and commercial.

- There is currently a ban on recreational set netting around Banks Peninsula to protect the Hector’s dolphins in that area.

- After a workshop instigated by WWF last year (supported by DOC and SEAFIC), the Ministry of Fisheries began a consultation process leading to this management plan to protect NI Hector’s dolphins.

Ends


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.