Fishing restrictions proposed to reduce endangered dolphin deaths in New Zealand

07/09/2006 00:00:00 New fishing restrictions have been proposed in an effort to reduce the threatened Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin deaths by the NZ Government.

Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins are the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin. The South Island of New Zealand has around 7,000 Hector’s dolphins, with around 5,400 of these living on the West Coast.

The Maui’s dolphin population is estimated at only 111 animals, all living off the North Island.

‘These dolphins live close inshore and are particularly at risk of getting caught in set nets and drowning,’ says Jim Anderton, Minister of Fisheries. ‘There is already a range of fishing restrictions around New Zealand to reduce Hector’s dolphin deaths in set nets. The government is developing a Threat Management Plan for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins. This Plan will look at all threats to the dolphins, including fishing, and how these can be managed for the long-term.’

Minister of Conservation, Chris Carter supports the action taken by Mr Anderton to try to reduce the impact of fishing activities on Hector’s dolphins.
Mr Carter said that New Zealanders were lucky to have a native coastal dolphin that shares the inshore coastal waters, where people are able to see them from the beach.

‘Hector’s dolphins come in close to the shore in the summer months to raise their calves, so it is very important that action is taken now.’ Mr Carter said.

‘So until the plan is developed, I want to look at interim steps to manage some of the immediate threats to the dolphins from set nets. In particular, I am proposing measures for Te Waewae Bay in Southland and for northern Canterbury through to Kaikoura. These, and other proposed measures are now open for public consultation.
‘I would emphasise that any such interim measures will eventually be replaced by longer-term solutions identified in the Threat Management Plan,’ Jim Anderton said.