New MPI investigation into dolphin death not enough

After increasing pressure from NGOs and the public, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has just confirmed that it will now investigate a Hector’s dolphin – whose death, in a fishing net, the Ministry has had video footage of for three years and has not been reported in the official records.

“This is a positive step, but what we really need is an investigation into how widespread the non-reporting of dolphin deaths is,” said Alex Smith, Senior Campaigner, WWF-New Zealand.

Mr Smith said any investigation needed to be independent, because MPI had failed to act on, or report the dolphin death for three years now.

“It is only now after a leaked report, and pressure from environmental NGOs and the public, that MPI is doing anything – they are not the best organisation to investigate this issue,” Mr Smith said.

“We need to know if there are more dolphins dying in fishing nets and not being reported.

“If a dolphin death caught on camera isn’t recorded, what happens when there is no camera or observer onboard?”

Mr Smith said recent scientific research showed that the total number of dolphins being caught was estimated to be much higher than what was being officially reported.

“It is crucial that there is accurate information about endangered dolphin deaths, so we know what action is needed to save them.”

On Tuesday, WWF-New Zealand wrote to Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries, to reiterate its call for an independent review of the Hector’s dolphin death detailed in the Operation Achilles report, the broader issue of non-reporting of dolphin deaths, and the issue of widespread fish dumping.

WWF received a letter back from MPI saying there would be an investigation into the Hector’s dolphin death. The details of this investigation are unclear.

“This is a step in the right direction but what is really needed is a thorough, robust and independent investigation,” Mr Smith said. “Hector’s and Māui dolphins are New Zealand’s national treasures and the issue of non-reporting of endangered dolphin deaths is extremely serious if we are to have a chance at saving them from extinction.

“Fishing with nets is the biggest threat to their survival.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media