WELLINGTON, New Zealand (24 Jan 2003) -- Bowing to world-wide pressure for protection of the critically endangered Maui dolphin (North Island Hector's dolphin), New Zealand has banned set netting in Manukau Harbor. But Cyber Diver Society President Evan T. Allard says the new protection measures are not enough. "We commend Fishieries Minister Pete Hodgson and thank the thousands of CDS members worldwide who participated in the CDNN Act Now campaign to pressure the government of New Zealand to ban set netting," said Allard. "It's an important first step, but without a ban on trawling off the west coast of the North Island, and a properly enforced ban on set netting that encompasses all harbors within the known range of Maui dolphins, this magnificent marine mammal cannot possibly survive." The Maui dolphin is the world's smallest and rarest dolphin; only 70-100 of the critically endangered animals survive in the shallow waters off the northwest coast of New Zealand's North Island. In the past two years, six Maui dolphins have died and scientists determined that at least four of the deaths were caused by fishing activities. In March 2002, CDNN launched an ACT NOW campaign to reverse the High Court ruling that overturned a ban on commercial set net fishing. "The global diving community cannot sit back and continue to pretend that an annual beach cleanup designed by the diving industry primarily to promote and green-wash business is sincere, responsible and adequate in terms of protecting the marine environment and the many marine species that are threatened by overdevelopment, dive tourism, pollution, and commercial and sport fishing," said CDNN Editor Stanford Suzuki. | | New Zealand's critically endangered Maui dolphin is still threatened by trawling. Only 70-100 animals remain. "We urge the diving industry and independent divers worldwide to ACT NOW and help save the Maui dolphin," Suzuki added. "We cannot allow this extraordinary animal, or other endangered marine species, to disappear from the face of the earth on our watch." CDNN ACT NOW: Save the critically endangered Maui dolphin |
