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Parliamentary
Questions: Question 2 - Maui's Dolphin-Protection
Press
Release
March
2005
Press Release by Office of the Clerk at 6:28 PM, 29 Mar 2005
(Uncorrected transcript-subject to correction and further editing.)
Tuesday, 29 March 2005
Questions for Oral Answer
Questions to Ministers
2. TARIANA TURIA (Leader-Maori Party) to the Minister
of Conservation: What initiatives have been put in place along the
west coast of the North Island to protect the Maui's dolphin, the
world's smallest and rarest marine dolphin, given it has been classified
as "critically endangered" on the International Union
for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources' red list?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation): In
October 2003, the Minister of Fisheries closed areas to set-netting
on the west coast of the North Island within the range of Maui's
dolphin, as this fishing method had been identified as a major threat.
Further work is being undertaken by my department and the Ministry
of Fisheries to gain more information about other possible threats
to Maui's dolphin.
Tariana Turia: What effect will the possible excavation
and dredging of ironsands on the coastline between Taranaki and
Kaipara Harbour have on the ongoing survival of Maui's dolphin?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: As yet, we do not know what the
answer to that question will be, but I can assure the member that
the Department of Conservation will be watching those activities-should
they take place, because at the moment there is only an application
to explore-very carefully to see that there is no negative impact
on this critically endangered species.
Dr Ashraf Choudhary: Have the existing measures
to protect Maui's dolphin been successful?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: Yes. The outlook for Maui's dolphin
has improved as there have been no recorded deaths from set-net
entanglement since the closures were put in place. In the 3 years
before that, there were seven deaths from human-related causes.
Tariana Turia: What assurance will the Minister
give this House that he will advise the Associate Minister of Energy
that any consultation on the Black Sand Exploration permit application
must include an opportunity for environmental objections relative
to Maui's dolphin, to be heard from mana whenua who are kaitiaki
of these dolphins?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: My department is developing a
code of conduct to minimise the impact of mining exploration on
marine mammals. This code is still in draft form, but most exploration
companies over the past few months have been keen to work to it,
regardless. We are dialoguing closely with the Ministry of Economic
Development.
Tariana Turia: Is the Minister prepared to call
in a mining licence in this area, given that the World Wide Fund
For Nature has indicated that Maui's dolphin may become extinct
in 25 years?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: I can assure the member and the
rest of the House that the Department of Conservation will be taking
every measure possible to ensure the survival of this critically
endangered species.
Nanaia Mahuta: Could the Minister clarify whether
any mana whenua group along the west coast has made an application
to protect Maui's dolphin?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: To my knowledge, no.
Jeanette Fitzsimons: Can the Minister confirm that
if this application were for the total habitat of a similarly critically
endangered species on conservation land, the Minister would have
the power to refuse consent to mine on the conservation estate,
but that with no similarly
protected areas in the sea, he does not have this power; and what
opportunities, if any, does the Minister have to protect this unique
animal from almost certain extinction if mining proceeds on that
scale?
Hon CHRIS CARTER: I will repeat the comment I made
earlier in answer to a previous question: the department is developing
a code of conduct to minimise the impact of mining activities. We
will be working very closely with other Government departments to
ensure that that takes place. It is also my understanding that the
size of the activity determines whether in my role of Minister of
Conservation I have an opportunity to be a decision maker. If it
is a significant activity, it then falls under a restricted coastal
activity and I become decision
maker.
ENDS
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