8 June 2007

Threatened dolphins need Government sanctuary

The Green Party has welcomed the proposal from Forest and Bird to establish a marine mammal sanctuary along the west coast of the North Island to protect the critically endangered Maui dolphin, and is calling on the Government to urgently back the proposal.

"We believe that activities like set netting and seabed mining should not be allowed within the habitats of endangered species. For these dolphins, set netting and trawling pose the most significant threats and such activities should be banned within the habitat of the Maui," the Greens' Conservation Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

"Fishing methods and activities which don't pose a threat can continue within a marine mammal sanctuary. There are little more than 100 Maui Dolphin left in the world, and they need immediate protection.

"New Zealanders pride ourselves on our commitment to the environment and strong conservation ethic. The community does not want the terrible responsibility of having allowed such a species to become extinct, when its survival is entirely in our hands.

"The Government has dragged its feet on finalising the Maui Dolphin threat reduction strategy and it is unlikely it will be ready for this coming summer.

A number of Maui dolphins have been found killed already in the last twelve months and the population is in critical need of strong protection measures. The Government should support the Forest and Bird proposal as a matter of urgency," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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