WELLINGTON, New Zealand (17 Apr 2002) -- Conservationists are concerned that New Zealand's commercial fishing industry could wipe out the world's rarest and smallest marine dolphin. Last year, six of the critically endangered North Island Hector's dolphins died out of a total population of only about 100. Marine researchers believe fishing nets caused all of the deaths. Last August, New Zealand's Minister of Fisheries banned commercial net fishing within most of the dolphin's range, however, commercial fishers challenged the ruling and set netting has resumed after the ban was overturned in High Court. "Clearly, the North Island Hector's dolphin is headed for extinction unless the government does something dramatic to prevent it," said Chris Howe, Director of Conservation at WWF-New Zealand. "Even though the fishers are putting intense pressure on the government to weaken its ban, we are calling on the Fisheries Minister to resist and instead take urgent action to ensure the total protection of North Island Hector's dolphins." After the High Court overturned the ban on netting in the dolphin's range, the New Zealand government said it will announce new measures within two months. Conservationists want the government to establish a marine sanctuary to ensure that the entire habitat of the North Island Hector's dolphin is closed to commercial and recreational set net fisheries. Cyber Diver Society (CDS) has announced that it will join with the WWF and other conservation groups in a global campaign calling for the New Zealand government to establish a marine sanctuary that will fully protect North Island Hector's dolphins from commercial and recreational fishers. Go to CDNN ACT NOW - Save North Island Hector's dolphins © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
