For immediate release, 11th June 2014, 14.45hrs
WWF responds to Minister’s ‘challenge’ on Maui’s dolphins
In response to Conservation Minister Nick Smith’s challenge on National Radio today to “show me the Maui’s” and present
evidence on Maui’s dolphin sightings, WWF has re-released its paper to the IWC Scientific Committee on the latest
evidence regarding Maui’s range.
Commenting on the Minister’s statements today on Morning Report, WWF Head of Campaigns Peter Hardstaff said,
“WWF’s paper to the IWC Scientific Committee sets out the latest credible information on the range of Maui’s dolphins.
The IWC experts have reviewed all available evidence and concluded that protection should be extended. The Minister is
choosing to disregard this scientific opinion.”
The WWF paper submitted to the committee, Addressing gaps in management approach and protection of the world’s rarest
marine dolphin, highlighted that the government has extended protection on the basis of some sightings but has left
areas unprotected where there have been equally credible sightings. The paper was considered at the committee’s 65th
meeting which concluded in Slovenia on May 24.
Mr Hardstaff continued, “The Latest and most reliable evidence suggests there are only 55 of these dolphins left over
the age of one. It is not surprising that sightings are rare. By demanding further sightings towards the edge of the
dolphin’s range, or evidence of dolphin deaths, the Minister is setting the bar too high to take further action.
“We can’t afford to lose more Maui’s - we need to do the maximum possible, rather than the minimum we can get away with.
This will affect fishing but we can’t expect fishing communities to shoulder all of the responsibility. Ensuring the
survival of Maui’s is a responsibility for every New Zealander. On our behalf, we call on the government to work with
fishing communities on the west coast of the north island to transition away from fishing methods that can harm Maui’s.”
Notes:
WWF’s paper to the IWC Scientific Committee can be found at:
A copy of the IWC Scientific Committee’s report can be found at:
The IWC Scientific Committee report will be formally submitted to the International Whaling Commission at its meeting in
Slovenia from 11 to 14 September this year which will then decide whether to formally adopt these recommendations in
their final recommendation report.