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US decision on dolphins could affect seafood exports

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 Sep 2017, 9:09AM
Maui's dolphin is the world's rarest (NZ Herald)

US decision on dolphins could affect seafood exports

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 Sep 2017, 9:09AM

The US has sent a clear message to New Zealand over the impact of fishing on our most threatened dolphin species.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency has added the Maui dolphin to its list of endangered species, and listed the Hector's dolphin as threatened.

It means the US can refuse to import our seafood if it's been caught in a manner deemed to be detrimental to the dolphins' habitat.

Glenn Simmons, a fisheries expert from Auckland University, said fish stocks around the world are under pressure.

He told Mike Hosking the US imports around 90 percent of its seafood, and wants to be sure fisheries are not affecting the habitat of the dolphins.

"They're saying that if you want to sell your seafood in this country your standards and levels of protection must meet ours or we won't buy your seafood."

Auckland University fisheries expert Glenn Simmons told Mike Hosking that may affect our commercial fisheries.

"The Hector's...part of their habitat crosses into the Hoki fishery which is our largest."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GLENN SIMMONS TALKS TO MIKE HOSKING 

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