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The Green Party and conservation group WWF have blasted the Government for putting off decisions on proposals to better protect Hector's and Maui's dolphin, saying they will die over the summer.
In August, the Government released a draft threat management plan saying it would announce decisions this month, but Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton and Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick yesterday said final decisions would be made in March.
They said a large number of submissions - 2475 - had raised complex and varied issues.
There would be no additional interim measures put in place.
"We will be monitoring the situation carefully over the summer months and if a fishing-related incident occurs that requires urgent action, I have powers to do what is necessary under the Fisheries Act," Mr Anderton said.
WWF New Zealand executive director Chris Howe said dolphins would be killed in fishing nets over the summer.
He said the draft plan was not that strong but now there would be no additional protection.
"We don't understand why the Government is delaying this decision. We are not asking fishers to stop fishing in the areas where Hector's and Maui's swim - just to change to methods which don't kill dolphins."
Green conservation spokeswoman Metiria Turei said the dolphins needed urgent protection and the Government should put interim measures in place.
"It is not acceptable for the minister to promise that if a fishing-related death occurs he will then put in place measures to protect the dolphins. One more death will be one too many. Measures should be enacted now, not after the species becomes unviable."
She said scientists estimated there were only 50 breeding Maui's dolphins left. In total there are just over 100 Maui's and about 7000 Hector's.
The draft plan included proposals to set up marine mammal sanctuaries and ban set nets in areas the dolphins use.
The ministers said they wanted to take time to consider information about threats and possible impacts on all types of fishing. Mr Anderton said there were already a number of protection measures in place.
- NZPA
