Future For North Island Hector’s Dolphins

Industry Announces Plan To Provide Future For North Island Hector’s Dolphins

The Northern Inshore Fisheries Company Ltd Chairman Bruce Young today announced a proposal for managing the interaction between the set net fishery and North Island Hector’s dolphins.

Mr Young said there were four key components to the management proposal which is aimed at reducing the capture of North Island Hector’s dolphins in set nets.

 AREA CLOSURE - A regulated area closure from the South Head of Manukau Harbour to Taranaki Point extending from the shoreline to four nautical miles out to sea. It is proposed to close this area to Commercial set netting. The area closure includes the two nautical miles “bubble” closures to trawling and Danish seining of Manukau, Port Waikato, Aotea and Kawhia Harbour entrances.

 GEAR RESTRICTIONS - (Code of Practice) A maximum number of 20 net meshes on nets used to target rig in the area from the South Head of the Kaipara Harbour to South head of Manukau Harbour, extending from the shoreline to four nautical miles out to sea.

 ACOUSTIC DOLPHIN MITIGATION DEVICES – PINGERS - (Code of Practice ) The use of pingers for fishers targeting rig in the area from South Head of the Kaipara Harbour to South Head of the Manukau Harbour extending from the shoreline out to four nautical miles.

 LOG BOOK PROGRAMME - (Code of Practice) A scientific programme collecting highly detailed catch and effort fishing information. The logbook programme is to be carried out by set net fishers in the area covered by the management proposal from South Head of the Kaipara Harbour to Port Taranaki, covering all catch taken by set net method, regardless of the area fished.

“The set net industry plays a very important role in many coastal towns and regions around New Zealand providing the fish in most fish and chip parcels to generating employment and economic benefits for many provincial areas,” Mr Young said.

The industry invited public to comment on the management proposal and had organised two workshops in Wellington and Auckland to inform the public about the strategy.

“The management proposal is a proactive step by the industry to ensure the long term survival of the Hectors dolphins.Together the set net industry and Hectors dolphins can co-exist,” Mr Young said.

WORKSHOPS

Wellington 10 am Tuesday September 19
The Terrace Conference Centre Room 4 Level 3 Dalmuir House 114 The Terrace

Auckland 10 am Thursday September 21
Trophy Room Royal NZ Yacht Squadron Westhaven Dr Auckland.

For further information contact Brent Marshall 09 302 1520
Or Justine Longland 09 377 9737 or 025 789 288

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