Ruth DYSON

Conservation Spokesperson
25 November 2013           MEDIA STATEMENT

Confirming too little too late is still....too little too late

“Support of the oil drilling in Taranaki has received more attention from the government than protecting the critically endangered Maui's dolphins.  There are just 55 adult Maui's left  on the planet and all of them are in New Zealand. Yet the government is taking pathetically weak and slow measures to save this species” says Labour’s Conservation spokesperson, Ruth Dyson.

“These moves may be too late and they are certainly not the comprehensive measures called on by New Zealand and international experts. Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature conference met in Korea and backed a package for ensuring the survival of Maui's dolphins. The government refused to back it.

“The international conservation movement has increasingly been considering calling for a fishing boycott of New Zealand  fish if serious moves are not taken to save Maui's. This is now a step closer to becoming a scary reality.

“New Zealand needs a comprehensive package which protects Maui's dolphins in all their habitat areas. And we need to move to eliminate unsustainable fishing practices.

“If you want to drill for oil then you are likely to get a big thumbs up from the government. But if you want to save a critically endangered dolphin, no such luck.”

Ms Dyson said Labour is committed to doing all it can to help save the Maui’s dolphin.

ENDS

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