Saving our Maui DolphinsAnnabel Windsor and Danielle Lingard-Barton

Set net fishing

The Maui Dolphin• Smallest and rarest dolphins in the world• There is an under 55 dolphins left • Only found along the North West coast of

the North island• They live in small pods (1-5) • They are very slow breeders

Set Nets•Strip coastal waters of marine life. They kill nearly everything that swims into them

•They are among the most wasteful and indiscriminate fishing methods ever developed.

•Set nets used to be made of thick twine , which dolphins and other marine life could see and avoid. Since the 1970’s however, set nets have been made with synthetic nylon, which is very hard to see.

 

The Taranaki Ban• A Ban has been put in place along the coast side of Taranaki where the population of Maui dolphin live

• The ban reaches 3.6km of Taranaki's coast

•It extends Ariokariwa Point near Pukearuhe to Hawera

• The ban is in place until the government revises its threat management plan for Maui's dolphin. That revision could extend, reduce or get rid of the current restriction completely

•While there is a high level of uncertainty about the activity of Maui's dolphins in the Taranaki area, there are still a small number of the Maui dolphin in which they could become extinct if this ban is not put in place.

FISH AND CHIPS OR MAUI DOLPHIN?• What is more important the commercial fishing industry, or

our precious native species?

Advantages:• Set nets are great for catching huge amounts of fish with little effort• Set nets can be adjusted to suit the environment differences• The set nets are less expensive to use and maintain

Disadvantages:• Species like the Maui dolphin get caught in these nets.• They not only capture other species but they cause disturbance to the

flora of the sea and the habitats living there.• The fishing becomes more about the money and the economic value

than the environmental costs.

Fisherman’s Argument

• Fisherman don’t see any harm in set net fishing:“While any fishing related death of marine mammals is regrettable, it is extreme and irresponsible for conservationists to call for an extension of the set net ban, especially when the identity of the dolphin cannot be categorically confirmed, and there is a need for more research,” says Peter Bodeker, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

• Fisherman feel that it is more cost effective and takes less effort•Bring in more fish = more profit for the fisherman•Nets are easy to use and don't require constant attention or special fishing equipment

• Fisherman see a huge economical loss with these bans in place

• This could be big enough to shut an entire fishery down with the loss of 50 jobs

•Fisherman do not believe that there are even any Maui dolphins habitats in the Taranaki bay waters where the ban is present, due to lack of sightings where the set net ban is

•Primary Industries Ministry spokesman Scott Gallacher says ”I don't think they will see Maui's up there but they will close it off anyway because it makes them look clean and green”

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6k81uafgOs

Communities ArgumentComments from the public:

•WWF want to see a ban on the set nets to at least allow our native Maui dolphins to re populate

•Parents and teaches want to be able to allow our children and our future generations to learn about and enjoy our Maui’s

•Green peace believe that keeping New Zealand ‘clean and green’ is a priority and this includes looking after our native species

•Limit the areas that set net fishing can take place

• “The world is watching and waiting for New Zealand to take action to save these small and critically endangered dolphins. Both the survival of Maui’s and our international reputation is on the line.” says Chris Howe WWF-New Zealand’s Executive Director

• We believe that the set nets should be ban in the Maui dolphins habitat

•More investigations should be carried our to get and exact area where the dolphins exist

•Fisherman should be allocated a large area where they are able to use their set nets

•If they choose to disobey these rules and use the nets in the area that the ban is in place then a substantial fine should be issued out

•Breeding of the Maui dolphin should be monitored more closely

•If the government lets the Maui Dolphin become extinct what native New Zealand animal is next?

Our Opinion

Conclusion• The set nets that are currently in place, are not enough to protect our native species the Maui Dolphins.

• Many dolphins have been found entangled in the nets which is the main reason the numbers have decreased.

• With only 55 dolphins left in New Zealand waters, major action needs to take place before its too late.

• The set net ban is the only way to give our dolphins a fighting chance to re populate.

What YOU can do to help•Not dumping plastic rubbish in the sea or leaving it on the beach. Take your rubbish home with you for safe disposal•No disposing of cat litter or other animal faeces in toilets, drains or storm water systems, as this has been implicated in the spread of disease overseas•Contacting the Ministry of Primary Industries on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 4 76224) if you see set nets within the closed areas.

•http://www.stoptheirextinction.org.nz/default2.asp

References • http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/mauis-dolphin/facts/• http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saveourdolphins

• http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/take-action/Take-action-online/Save-the-Maui-Dolphin/• http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10844715• http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/4251346/Fisherman-now-a-Maui-believer