29 April 2012

Government must act on latest Maui’s dolphin death

The Green Party is calling on the Government to implement an immediate moratorium on set-net fishing in the Taranaki region following another Maui’s dolphin death.

“This Government is not acting with urgency to protect Maui’s dolphins, and as a result the Government may be responsible for another Maui’s dolphin death,” said Green Party Oceans spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

Mr Hughes was responding to news that the Department of Conservation has confirmed the death of a Maui’s dolphin, reportedly found by a member of the public on a beach near Pungarehu, south of New Plymouth. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

“Regardless of how this particular Maui’s dolphin died, the death serves as a reminder that this species is on the brink of extinction and the Government should be taking all practicable steps to ensure their survival,” said Mr Hughes.

“We know that Maui’s dolphins swim in Taranaki waters, and the Government is still allowing set nets in this area.

“Now is the time for immediate action to protect Maui’s dolphins. Waiting another month for interim measures is not good enough.

“Preliminary indications from MAF are that the population can only sustain 1 human-induced mortality every 10 to 23 years, so it is absolutely necessary to minimize the risk of human-induced mortality.

"The Government needs to take action to protect our precious species, not oversee their extinction," said Mr Hughes.

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