July 23 2019
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Dolphin plan threatens fishers u by Paul Campbell
A plan to protect dwindling numbers of Hector’s and Maui dolphins unique to New Zealand waters could spell an end to the livelihoods of up to 30 commercial fishers on the Kaipara Harbour, depending on the outcome of a current community consultation by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
‘Heritage’ trees close playground
Two aged Norfolk Pines, labelled ‘heritage’ trees …
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New horizons for Rotary
This month marks a new year for the Rotary Club of Dargaville …
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Tasty idea to help hospice
Dargaville’s hospice is receiving a helping hand from Taste and See …
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Last week fishers operating on the Kaipara were given two days notice by email of a closed meeting at the Dargaville Town Hall to be briefed on the Maui Threat Management Plan, and proposed options, one of which would close the Manukau, Kaipara, Raglan and Kawhia harbours to all set netting, recreational and commercial. MPI says there are estimated to be only between 57 and 75 Maui dolphins more than the age of one year left in existence. They are classified as Nationally Critical under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. ‘There are around 15,000 Hector’s dolphins, and they are classified as Nationally Vulnerable. ‘Our proposals set out four options for protecting Maui dolphins in the North Island from fishing-related threats. “The proposals also include a plan to manage toxoplasmosis and restrictions to seismic surveying and seabed mining.’ After the meeting, a spokesman for the Matich family, and a fourthgeneration Kaipara fisher, said he was “almost at a loss for words.” However, he added: “This whole exercise is not common sense at all, simply phantom areas where Maui dolphins might come drawn up by some computer modelling. It is so false, with no real facts — more a load of rubbish. We have never caught a Maui dolphin in the Kaipara, they remain offshore on the
p Endangered Maui dolphins roam the waters off Kaipara’s west coast (inset) and a plan is underway to further protect them
west coast. As for this toxoplasmosis, MPI says it’s caused by cat poo washing into the ocean. That is really stretching anyone’s credibility.” The spokesman added that if the harbour was closed to netting for mullet, flounder and other species, he’d been told there would be no compensation. Another fisher at the meeting who asked not to be identified said that “if town and city dwellers emotional about dolphins were included in the feedback exercise, it is just a massive attack on
the fishing community.” The ministry says feedback will help determine how best to protect the dolphins, to allow them to thrive. Submissions close at 5 pm, Sunday, August 4. “At the end of the consultation period, DOC and Fisheries New Zealand will analyse submissions and present them to the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation for their decision.” For more information mpi.govt.nz/hectorsand-maui-dolphins-threat-managementplan-review.