Northland's rare dolphins further threatened

Green MP Sue Bradford, who lives at Hoteo North near Wellsford, today warned that the endangered Hector's dolphin, seen at times off the Kaipara Coast, was a step closer to extinction after the fishing industry successfully challenged a ban on set net fishing.

There are only around 100 North Island Hector's dolphins remaining and Ms Bradford said the success of the fishing industry in substantially reducing the area covered by a ban on set netting could be the end for the species.

"This year there have been three recorded deaths of Hector's dolphins - almost certainly after being tangled in set nets - and modeling shows that if we lose just one every five years as a result of fishing, this beautiful dolphin is likely to become extinct," said Ms Bradford.

"This move by the fishing industry is putting short-term economics over ecology and directly threatens the future of the Hector's dolphin."

Ms Bradford said the fishermen who opposed the original set net ban needed to find new ways to fish that didn't threaten endangered species instead of frustrating efforts to save them.

Ms Bradford said the Hector's dolphin is a distinctive inhabitant of North Auckland and Northland's coastal waters, and many in the area are passionate about saving it.

"I challenge these fishermen to think what they will tell their children when they can no longer see any Hector's dolphin and they ask where they have gone and why," said Ms Bradford.