Ban on set nets demanded to protect rare dolphins

Conservationists want to ban set net fishing after 19 rare dolphins died over summer.

Pathology reports confirmed at least 11 of the deaths were caused by set and trawl nets, said the Department of Conservation.

The Ministry of Fisheries and DoC are discussing a threat management plan for Hector's dolphin and its critically endangered northern relative, Maui's dolphin, but Forest and Bird spokesman Kevin Hackwell said new protection measures needed to be mandatory.

"New Zealand is one of the few countries that allows recreational set netting - in most parts of the world it's banned because it's so indiscriminate."

While dolphins drowned in both recreational and commercial set nets, at least commercial fishers had an incentive to keep a close eye on nets. Hobby fishers sometimes left them unattended for long periods.

"Set nets have really only been around since the 1970s and it's no coincidence dolphin numbers have plummeted in that time," Mr Hackwell said.

Scientists have estimated more than 12,000 Hector's and Maui's dolphins have been killed in fishing nets since 1970, the main threat being gillnets left overnight.

DoC says four Hector's dolphins were drowned in one net at the beginning of summer on the South Island West Coast.

DoC research and development general manager John Ombler said staff were grateful to the fishers who reported dolphin bycatch.

"It is crucial that these incidents are reported to DoC so we can understand any effects on the dolphin population and develop ways to prevent further deaths. "

While a 1140sq km sanctuary was set up 10 years ago around the South Island's Banks Peninsula to protect the dolphins, Forest and Bird wanted that extended, Mr Hackwell said.

It also wanted the sanctuary off the North Island's west coast to protect Maui's dolphin extended from the present four nautical miles from shore.

Recreational Fishing Council spokesman Keith Ingram said his group supported the ban on set netting along the North Island's west coast to protect Maui's but would not back a set net ban.

Other measures, such as promoting regular checking of nets, could be effective but fishers would want to be consulted before any decisions were made.

There are thought to be just over 7000 Hector's dolphins along the South Island's West Coast. Maui's dolphins number around 100.