Last chance to see Hector's and Maui's dolphins?

Set nets are the single biggest threat to our endangered Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins. As alternative fishing methods are available, Forest & Bird is calling for a national ban on set nets to protect these dolphins.

A nationwide ban on set nets is necessary even in areas where Hector’s dolphins are not found because they kill so many other marine species.

You can help by:

1. Sending a submission on the government’s Hector’s and Maui’s Threat Management Plan, supporting a set net ban and your reasons why, by sending the below letter to the agencies and ministers concerned:

Hectorstmp@biodiversity.govt.nz, janderton@ministers.govt.nz, ccarter@ministers.govt.nz

Submission on Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin Threat Management Plan.
Please act now to stop our endangered Hector’s dolphins disappearing.

I am very concerned about the lack of adequate protection of our endangered Hector’s dolphins, including the critically endangered North Island subspecies, Maui’s dolphin.

Set nets are the single largest threat to these dolphins. Over 60% of deaths - where the cause of death is known - are the result of entanglement in set nets. Set nets are an indiscriminate fishing method that are also responsible for the deaths of other species, including common, dusky and bottlenose dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins and many other non-target marine species.

Some protection measures are in place but they do not go far enough.

Alternative fishing methods that do not pose a threat to Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins, such as long lining, surf casting, drag netting, beach seining and spearing, can all be used instead of set nets.

A set net ban out to 100m water depth (the depth to which these dolphins range) wherever Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin occur is the single most immediate and effective action we can take to protect our endangered dolphins.

To ensure recovery of these dolphins and to protect other marine wildlife caught in set nets, I urge you to implement a national ban on set sets.

2. Forwarding this email to others

3. Downloading our Hector’s dolphins desktop image – in case this is your last chance to see them.

Further information at http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/Marine/hectorsdolphin.asp