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Fishing industry says stopping nets not the only way to save dolphins

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Jun 2019, 4:52PM
The plan announced today would protect Hector's, pictured, and Maui dolphins. (Photo / File)

Fishing industry says stopping nets not the only way to save dolphins

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Mon, 17 Jun 2019, 4:52PM

Deep concerns from the Fishing Industry on the impacts of a dolphin protection plan.

The Government wants to more than double the area that's free of set net and trawl nets to reduce the risk of Maui and Hector's dolphins becoming bycatch.

It also wants to significantly expand the West Coast and Banks Peninsula marine mammal sanctuaries.

Jeremy Helson from Fisheries Inshore New Zealand says the impact would be vast.

"Many operators under the more extreme proposals it would simply put people out of business, there's nothing surer than that. If you are a fishing family, you've lost your income, you've lost your livelihood."

He says they have invested a huge amount of time and money investigating innovative ways to protect dolphins, which have not been considered.

"We think there's other ways to do this, and we'd be really happy to have a conversation with Government about how we can reduce risks while maintaining the viable seafood industry."

 

 

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