KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's dolphins earned more than $24 million for the country last year, and their true economic value could be much higher, Ministry of Tourism figures showed.
About 103,000 people reported taking part last year in dolphin watching or swimming, contributing $24.6 million, WWF-NZ, which sourced data from the ministry, said early today.
Executive director Chris Howe said the figures added a new dimension for implementing effective protection measures for Hector's dolphins, the species the South Island dolphin tour industry centres on.
"This can be done now under the Government's draft Hector's and Maui's dolphin threat management plan ... provided it includes a national ban on set nets, which are the biggest threat to the animals' survival, and adequately restricts trawling throughout the dolphins' range," Mr Howe said.
The findings showed how carefully managed wildlife tourism could be an economic and conservation asset.
"Obviously, Hector's dolphins are in fact priceless. They are amazing creatures, and live only in New Zealand. But their economic value is another reason to protect them."
- NZPA
