NZ moves to protect endangered Hector dolphin
Date: 17-Aug-01
Country: NEW ZEALAND
The one and a half metre (4 feet) long, dumpy North Island Hector's dolphin, distinguished by its rounded dorsal fin, is native to New Zealand and listed as critically endangered with possibly fewer than 100 left.
The ban, to come into effect in September, prohibits commercial and recreational fishing with set nets within four nautical miles of the shore.
Set nets are fine-mesh nets anchored to the sea floor or coast in which dolphins can get tangled as they chase fish.
In addition, observers will be put on boats that fish in the area but do not use set nets.
There was no realistic alternative to the ban if the species was to be saved, Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson said in a statement.
"The population may eventually decline to extinction if the bycatch rate is more than one dolphin in a five year period.
"If we are going to save this species from extinction I see no realistic alternative to a ban on set netting in its habitat waters," Hodgson said.
Three North Island Hector's dolphin had already been found dead this year probably because of set netting, he said.
Fishing companies found guilty of breaching the ban will face fines of up to NZ$250,000 ($108,500) and recreational fishers NZ$10,000 ($4,340).
Conservationists have welcomed the ban but fishing companies, which will not be compensated if they are affected, have said it goes too far.
A similar ban exists off New Zealand's South Island region of Canterbury, where the related South Island Hector's dolphin is found.
