Hector’s and Māui dolphins Threat Management Plan 

Written By HotHouse

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Hon Stuart Nash, and the Minister of Conservation, Hon Eugenie Sage, announced decisions on a revised Hector’s and Māui dolphins Threat Management Plan.

This follows public consultation from 17 June to 19 August 2019 on a range of options to manage the human-induced threats that these dolphins face.

Summary of new fisheries measures

On 1 October 2020, new measures will take effect restricting commercial and recreational set-net and commercial trawl fishing off the west coast of the North Island, and commercial and recreational set-net fishing off the north, south and east coasts of the South Island. In addition, drift netting will be prohibited in all New Zealand waters.
Please see our website for an overview of the new measures and what they mean for commercial, recreational, and customary fishing: www.fisheries.govt.nz/dolphintmp

Further consultation for the South Island

The new set-net restrictions address most of the fisheries risk to Hector’s dolphins in the South Island.
In response to public feedback, further consultation on commercial and recreational set-net closures between the north and south of Banks Peninsula is intended. 
Consultation on an alternative way to manage risk from fishing in the South Island, beyond the blunt use of area closures, will also be undertaken. This would include development of a framework that is more collaborative with industry to achieve reductions in dolphin captures, and increased monitoring through Crown-owned cameras on vessels across South Island Hector’s dolphin habitat.
More information can be found on our website: www.fisheries.govt.nz/dolphintmp   

Transition support

Reflecting the unique challenges currently facing the New Zealand economy and the pressure some businesses are facing as a result, Government will provide a business advice and financial support package to significantly impacted fishers and licensed fish receivers. The package is intended to support them to manage the impacts of the measures and remain in the industry wherever possible.
Information on national and regional services that can help commercial fishers with health, wellbeing, and making business decisions is available on our website: www.fisheries.govt.nz/support-for-fishers

Contact us

Get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like more information. You can:

Kind regards,
Recreational Fisheries - Fisheries New Zealand
Fisheries Management | Fisheries New Zealand – Tini a Tangaroa 
Charles Ferguson Tower | PO Box 2526 | Wellington | New Zealand
Web: fisheries.govt.nz

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