| Overwhelming
response delays dolphin decision
Media
release - Minister of Fisheries
29
November 2007
A huge number
of submissions raising complex issues means final decisions
on the Hector's Dolphin Threat Management Plan will not
be made until early next year, Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton
and Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick announced today.
"We have
received 2475 submissions on the draft plan to protect Hector's
and Maui's dolphins from concerned people all over New Zealand
and overseas," Jim Anderton said.
"People have taken the time to
supply us with a considerable amount of information about
threats to the dolphins and the possible impacts on commercial,
recreational, and customary fishing from the measures proposed.
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We want
to take the time necessary to consider all of this information before
we make any decisions.
“Deciding on how best to protect Hector’s and Maui’s
dolphins, while recognising the impact of measures on people’s
livelihoods, is not a decision to be made lightly or to be rushed.
Given the amount of information supplied we expect to make a decision
in March of next year, instead of December this year.”
“The overwhelming number of submissions gives us great confidence
that people in fishing and environmental communities recognise the
importance of these dolphins,” Steve Chadwick said.
“They are a national treasure, or taonga, that we cannot afford
to lose. The Maui dolphins are down to just 111 individuals, making
it the rarest marine dolphin in the world.”
Jim Anderton said it has also been decided not to introduce immediate
interim measures over the summer, because there are a number already
in place, and any further measures must also consider the feedback
from consultation over the management plan.
“We will be monitoring the situation carefully over the summer
months, and if a fishing-related incident occurs that requires urgent
action, I have powers to do what is necessary under the Fisheries
Act.”
The Ministry of Fisheries is also working with the Department of
Conservation on a comprehensive education and awareness campaign
to highlight the need for good fishing practice over the summer
when the dolphins are closer inshore.
The two departments will continue to monitor compliance with existing
mandatory measures for managing the effects of fishing on Hector’s
and Maui’s dolphins.
Read the
option4 submission to
the Hector's Dolphin Threat Management Plan here » »
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