Dolphin protection favoured

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 5

Dolphin protection favoured

By RICHARD CRESSWELL fishing reporter

A meeting about Hector’s dolphins on Thursday evening in Christchurch came out in favour of some form of action to protect the mammals, the Department of Conservation’s senior conservation officer, Mr John Andrew, said yesterday. “People clearly want some form of change (to protect the dolphin),” he said.

The department is seeking submissions on a public document which outlines ways to protect the dolphin, as well as setting up a marine mammal sanctuary off Banks Peninsula.

The department has also proposed set netting restrictions, which have been criticised by set

netters. But set netters had proposed their own solution at the Christchurch meeting, one of two last week. They had proposed banning set nets in Akaroa harbour, banning commercial set netting in the sanctuary area, but allowing amateur nets within 50 metres of the shore in the rest of the sanctuary, he said.

Fifty-five people had voted in favour of that proposal and 21 against, he said.

Figures had been added by two independent amateur set netters to ensure impartiality at the meeting. Submissions on the plan have to be given to the Department of Conservation by October 28 and a decision was expected from the Minister of Conservation, Ms Clark, in late November.