Govt ‘reckless’ in issuing oil drilling permit in Maui’s Dolphin sanctuary

Global conservation organisation WWF has criticised the New Zealand government for allowing oil exploration to occur within a marine sanctuary designed to protect Maui’s dolphins.

“It is simply reckless to endanger the survival of the world’s last 55 Maui’s dolphins by giving the green light to oil exploration in the dolphin’s core habitat. Seismic surveying is known to pose great risks to whales and dolphins around the world, and does not belong in the waters where Maui’s feed, breed and swim,” says Peter Hardstaff, WWF-New Zealand’s Head of Campaigns.

“Opening up Maui’s habitat to seismic surveying is a dangerous step backwards.

“We call on the Government to stop exposing Maui’s dolphins to further risky activities, and instead start increasing efforts to protect them fully. It is time to end any new petroleum exploration, and remove fishing with nets, throughout their entire range.”

WWF is campaigning to save the last 55 Maui’s dolphins through banning set net and trawl fishing and placing a moratorium on marine exploration and mining. WWF is calling for the government to help affected fishers in Maui’s habitat—from Mt Maunganui to Whanganui— transition to dolphin-friendly fishing methods.

Minister Simon Bridges announced 15 new petroleum exploration permits have been granted for Block Offer 2014 today. One of these includes a 55km2 overlap with the North Island West Coast Marine Mammal Sanctuary, and a large part of their known habitat.*

“The government is trying to reassure people that marine mammals will be protected during oil exploration, but the only way to prevent danger from seismic surveying is to avoid surveying entirely in Maui’s habitat,” says Hardstaff.

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