3 February, 2012

Call to extend set net ban off Taranaki Coast a knee jerk reaction

Any extension of the set net ban off the Taranaki coast is an extreme response and does not consider the full facts around the issue, says the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.

“While any fishing related death of marine mammals is regrettable, it is extreme and irresponsible for conservationists to call for an extension of the set net ban, especially when the identity of the dolphin cannot be categorically confirmed, and there is a need for more research,” says Peter Bodeker, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.

The fisherman who caught the dolphin (outside the restricted zone) identified and reported it to MAF as a Hector’s dolphin which is near identical to the Maui’s subspecies, and with a population of more than 7000.

MAF in its release on the issue stated that the dolphin caught was ‘likely a Maui’s dolphin’.

“Unfortunately, the word ‘likely’ has been removed from the conservationists’ arguments and that’s a key omission given how sensitive this issue is,” says Mr Bodeker.

Mr Bodeker also said that more research is needed rather than knee jerk reactions based on lack of solid evidence.

“Not only do we need to be able to bring the animal back to shore to determine the species definitively (currently under the Marine Mammals Protection Act all marine mammals must be returned to sea), we also need to do more research on the dolphins that occasionally occur off Taranaki, as recent Department of Conservation research has demonstrated that there is not a clear separation between the areas inhabited by the two subspecies.

“Environmental sustainability is obviously important to New Zealanders but equally we need a balanced debate that considers a number of factors including environmental impacts, based on good science; the impact on our local communities, the fishermen and families and associated businesses, and the social and economic benefits that come with providing a high quality food source,” says Mr Bodeker.

ENDS

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