In a nutshell, ELI asked government: “If you think toxoplasmosis is such a big problem for Hector’s and Maui dolphin, why are you allowing the fishing industry to continue to kill so many dolphins”?![]()
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Government think that it will take until at least 2035 to find a solution to toxo. So, as ELI are saying, why are you not stopping bycatch now, until there is a solution to toxo? Bycatch is the one impact you can do something about right now. And it would barely cost anything. There might be some short term cost for fishers to switch from nets to fish traps, hook-and-line and other fishing methods that are selective, sustainable and dolphin-safe. But in the long run this will benefit the fishing industry as well as the dolphins.![]()
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Maui dolphins are already Critically Endangered (definition “at an extremely high risk of extinction). The International Whaling Commission has urged NZ to “immediately eliminate” bycatch of Maui dolphins in gillnet and trawl fisheries. We have gone nowhere near that. If we continue as we are, there is no chance that Maui dolphins will recover.
Brilliant summing up by David Bullock from LeeSalmonLong, representing the Environmental Law Initiative! I will put up a summary tomorrow. Now we just wait for the judge to decide.
Today is the third and last day of the dolphin court case in Wellington. Should be interesting! Go along to listen if you have time.
If you’re in Wellington, you may want to head to the High Court! There is a hearing going on about Hector’s and Maui dolphin protection, and it’s open to the public. You can just wander in and sit in the back to listen to the lawyers’ arguments. Crown Law are defending the rights of the fishing industry to continue to kill Hector’s and Maui dolphins. On the other side, the Environmental Law Initiative are asking for better dolphin protection, to avoid the extinction of Maui dolphin and the smallest, most threatened Hector’s dolphin populations.
If you're wondering how it has come to such a desperate situation with Hector's and Maui dolphins, check out this article. Hot off the press!