30 January 2009

Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Hector arrives in Wellington to thank parliament for the set net ban

Forest &Bird is encouraged by Wednesday’s sighting of a Hector’s dolphin in Wellington harbour as a sign that the dolphins have come to say thank-you for the set net ban introduced in May 2008.

“Perhaps the dolphin has come to say thanks for the set net bans, but please but don’t forget those of us still at risk” suggests Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles.

The Department of Conservation today confirmed the sighting of the rare Hector’s dolphin inside Wellington Harbour on Wednesday evening. Hector’s dolphins are an endangered species, numbering just over 7000 individuals. A sub-species, Maui’s dolphin, found off the west coast of the North Island numbers just 111 individuals, and is critically endangered

Forest & Bird wants a ban on set nets, which are used to catch fish in coastal waters where Hector's and Maui’s dolphins live. The small dolphins get tangled in the nets and drown.

In May the government announced measures to protect Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins, including marine mammal sanctuaries and bans on set netting in the coastal waters where the dolphins are most often found.

Five commercial fishing companies have legally challenged the fishing measures, and the High Court will hear the case in April. Meanwhile, an injunction is in place so commercial set net fishing can continue in some areas where Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins are found.

Forest & Bird advises anyone who finds dead dolphins or other marine mammals to immediately report the death to DOC and report any illegal fishing activity to the Ministry of Fisheries.

ENDS

© Scoop Media