Press Release from Aotearoa Fisheries Limited
Headline: Dolphin Decision Disappointing
30 May 2008
Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, the leading Maori commercial fishing company, said today that it was pleased to see the
Government acknowledgement of the high cost imposed on the commercial fishing industry because of yesterday's decision
to close fishing areas.
"When we submitted our views on the proposed Dolphin Threat Management Plan in October last year we made it clear that
we are committed to the sustainable management of our fisheries and the protection of endangered sea mammals.
"We believe that the four mile set-net ban and one mile trawl ban introduced by Government and the industry in 2003 are
effective measures that already provide necessary separation between commercial fishing and the endangered dolphin
species," the chief executive of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, Jeremy Fleming, said today.
"The main causes of mortality to Maui dolphins are predation by sharks and orcas, disease and the effects of pollution
and plastic waste. I am concerned that the new restrictions announced by Minister Anderton yesterday will not have any
real positive impact on the Maui dolphin population while they will definitely have a major adverse effect on our
fishermen and their livelihoods."
"While we are not happy with the Minister's decision, we will continue to work with our fishers to protect endangered
species and will work with the Ministry to minimise the cost to the industry of implementing the proposals. Now that the
Minister has made the decision, he needs to consider how he intends to compensate the people and businesses that will
carry the cost of his decision," Mr Fleming said.
ENDS