Industry Supports Extending Seismic Restrictions

MEDIA Statement for Immediate Use
14 March 2012
Industry Supports Extending Seismic Restrictions to Protect Dolphins

The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association said today that they supported the interim rules governing seismic surveying in the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary being extended south along the coast around Mount Taranaki to Hawera.

CEO David Robinson said that it was important that the exploration industry played its part in ensuring the survival of Maui’s Dolphin.

“While there is little, if any, evidence that seismic surveying has any detrimental effects on dolphin species, industry recognises that caution must be taken not to do anything that could further reduce the size of the population.

“Indeed industry has been working with the Department of Conservation over the past 3 years to review the guidelines controlling seismic surveying activities around marine mammals more generally. This is likely to lead to a major overhaul of the rules applying in all Marine Mammal Sanctuaries” said Mr Robinson.

The Association said it would contribute to any review of the Threat Management Plan for the species being undertaken.
ENDS

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