Measures to Protect Maui’s Dolphins Inadequate: “

Measures to Protect Maui’s Dolphins Inadequate

By Tracy Brown, Sea Shepherd New Zealand

It was impeccable timing by the New Zealand Governement and a classic example of bureaucratic double standards regarding interim measures to protect the Maui’s Dolphin.  The International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee has held New Zealand to account by not committing to national or international obligations to protect endemic dolphins. The Small Cetaceans Sub-Committee and the experts from around the world agreed that gill nets and trawling are the human induced threats directly attributing to the decline in the Maui’s and Hector’s Dolphin populations over the past 40 years. So, in a preemptive measure, timed to mitigate international glare at New Zealand, it is good news that the set-net ban has been extended further south down to Hawera and out to 2 nautical miles offshore. It is good news that there will be observers on commercial trawlers from 2 – 7 nautical miles offshore, and that another part of the solution has been established.

But it won’t save the dolphins.

This is a temporary measure. Extended protection to the 100m depth contour, set-net bans in the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours, and in the habitat range would be a more credible solution. The IWC Scientific Committee recommends that removing gill nets and trawling from the South Island to the North Island will mitigate population isolation and provide safe pathways for the populations to breed.

How does scientific fact seen through the lens of policy become a weakened form of protection that actually prevents species recovery? Internationally recognized scientific research has been mitigated by New Zealand’s visions of financial security through false claims of a clean, green economy that protects fishing and promotes mining in marine mammal protected areas. The experiment is a Darwinist example of the survival of the fittest, not as nature intended but as a manipulative species unable to balance reason over hubris.

However reason can prevail, with passion and perseverance. There are options to actualize effective protection for the Maui’s and Hector’s Dolphin through the Threat Management Plan due for consultation later this year and New Zealand will need your support during the submission phase (yet to be announced). Of course, the choices are not always in the hands of bureaucracy – you can make choices too!

If you’re interested in the protection of these rare dolphins please contact New Zealand’s Prime Minister to register your concerns (john.key@parliament.govt.nz).

Or the Minister of Conservation (kate.wilkinson@parliament.govt.nz).

Or the Minister of Primary Industry (david.carter@parliament.govt.nz).

Another way to become involved- don’t eat the targeted New Zealand fish caught from set-nets and trawling boats in the habitat range of the Maui’s and Hector’s Dolphin (rig, lemonfish, elephantfish, school shark,butterfish, flounder, sole, grey mullet, yellow eyed mullet, monk fish, red cod, guarnard, stargazer).

“

(Via Sea Shepherd News – Sea Shepherd Deutschland.)

German National Arrested in Galapagos for Attempting to Smuggle Wildlife: “

German National Arrested in Galapagos for Attempting to Smuggle Wildlife

On Sunday July 8th, 31-year-old German national, Dirk Bender, was arrested for trying to smuggle four juvenile land iguanas out of Galapagos.

Upon check-in for his flight, Mr. Bender’s bag was X-rayed and the Park Ranger on duty noticed a possibly suspicious content. Police dog, Kevin was brought to the scene and he immediately detected the presence of wildlife. The four land iguanas were individually wrapped in identical cotton bags that the suspect had brought with him from Germany. The iguanas fortunately turned out to be alive and in good health.

Land iguanas are protected species and are also listed on the IUCN red list as well as with CITES under appendix 2. Any attempt to remove them from the Galapagos Islands is a serious environmental crime that can be punished by up to four years of imprisonment.

During the preliminary hearing before the judge today, the charges were presented. Upon a constitutional request, based on nature rights, Sea Shepherd asked to be heard in order to advocate for the legal protective status of land iguanas in Galapagos. This was the first time such a request was granted in Galapagos, a clear indication that Sea Shepherd’s legal work is being noticed by the Galapagos authorities.

Due to the seriousness of the crime as well as the overwhelming evidence against Mr. Bender, preventive imprisonment was ordered and Mr. Bender was fined $15,000 in Fiji for his crime.

Mr. Bender is not a first time offender as he was arrested in Fiji, only seven months ago, for trying to smuggle a pregnant Fijian iguana out of the country.

Mr. Bender’s Fijian hotel room had already been searched a week earlier, upon which eight live iguanas were found and confiscated.

In Fiji, Mr. Bender had said he was sorry and would never do it again, I guess in his mind, never means seven months.

Sea Shepherd Galapagos will monitor this case very closely as it is very important a clear signal is given that these serious environmental crimes are to be met with equally serious sanctions.

“

(Via Sea Shepherd News – Sea Shepherd Deutschland.)