Media release

Fisheries Minister responds to Hector's and Maui's dolphin judgement

Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton has expressed his deep disappointment at today's judgment on a legal challenge by the fishing industry to new measures designed to protect New Zealand's threatened Hector's and Maui's dolphins.

The Wellington High Court has ruled that some commercial fishing measures in some places cannot now be implemented on Wednesday 1 October 2008 as scheduled.

The ruling does not affect any of the new bans on recreational set netting which will come into effect on 1 October 2008 as scheduled.

Jim Anderton said he was seeking advice from Crown Law and the Ministry of Fisheries on the implications of this judgement and we are considering all the Government's options.

"Hector's and Maui's dolphins are among the world's rarest, they are found only in New Zealand waters and they are our responsibility.

"I am very disappointed that commercial fishers have been prepared to put the dolphins at further risk, and to compromise their own international credibility as a sustainable industry," he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media