| Southland
Dolphin Submission
By
Nelson Cross and Alan Key
12
April 2008
April 12, 2008
Minister of Fisheries
Hon. Jim Anderton
Submission on “new evidence” Hector’s and Maui
Dolphin Threat Management Plan
Sir
Having finally obtained the “new evidence” we have to
admit to being even more confused than before. In our view, and
also from others who have read it, including marine scientists,
this is purely and simply gobbledy-gook and as such almost impossible
to comprehend.
In an attempt to understand this document, help was sought from
both the Dunedin office of MoF and also Wellington head office for
an interpretation of the content of the document as presented. Not
surprisingly, no such interpretation was forthcoming and the distinct
impression we received was “that they didn’t know either”.
It would appear, sir, that this “new evidence” is based
on a very unstable computer model which is itself based on information
which has been discredited as unreliable and emotive from “people”
with very singular interests and objectives.
Furthermore this “new” evidence completely ignores current
research and reliable anecdotal evidence currently available which
is very much at odds with the conclusions and postulations contained
in the “new” evidence.
In conclusion, sir, we feel that this “new” evidence
does nothing to progress the current debate on dolphin threat management
and that in effect the situation remains the same.
There is almost nil threat to Hector’s Dolphin numbers on
the east, south and west coasts of the South Island.
Dolphin numbers are, in fact, increasing in these areas (anecdotal
and current DoC research)
The status quo should be retained with emphasis on education and
voluntary codes of practice.
The rights of commercial, customary and recreational fishers must
be protected in ways responsible and fair to all concerned, otherwise
the potential for this matter to be subject to court action is all
too real.
Nelson Cross
Alan Key
Recreational and responsible fishermen
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