Maui-friendly methods not needed
The Government is not considering helping commercial fishers to move to dolphin-friendly methods in Maui’s dolphin habitat because it was confident there were already effective restrictions in place, New Plymouth’s MP has said.
Jonathan Young was responding to a poll by global conservation organisation WWF-New Zealand, which claimed 75 per cent of people surveyed backed the idea of compensating fishers as a way of protecting the endangered species.
‘‘We want to see fishing co-exist with Ma¯ui dolphins, but we recognise that a shift to dolphin-safe methods will be a major challenge for many fishers on the West Coast of the North Island,’’ Peter Hardstaff, head of campaigns for WWF-New Zealand, said. ’’We are urging the Government to assist with this transition and this polling shows that 75 per cent of New Zealanders think the same way.’’
But the National MP said more than 1700 square kilometres off the west coast of the North Island had been closed to trawl net fishing since 2003, and in 2012 the set net ban area was doubled to 6,200 sqkm to cover all areas where there had been confirmed sightings.
‘‘Since July 2012 there has been mandatory observer coverage on all commercial set net vessels operating offshore out to seven nautical miles in the Taranaki region and increasing observer coverage on the trawl fleet north of Taranaki,’’ he said.
‘‘In both fisheries there have been no observer-reported sightings of a Ma¯ui or Hector’s dolphin since coverage began, which gives us confidence we have the restrictions in the right areas.’’
Government officials would be looking closely at the WWF Ma¯ui Dolphin report. A full review of the government’s Hector’s and Ma¯ui Dolphin Threat Management Plan was scheduled for 2018.
‘‘Over the next few years we’re also rolling out cameras, GPS tracking and electronic reporting on every commercial fishing vessel. This will be world leading technology and give us unprecedented transparency and oversight over commercial fishing.’’
The WWF-New Zealand poll of 1000 people asked if the government should financially assist fishers to transition to dolphin safe fishing methods. Seventy-five per cent of respondents said yes, 13 per cent said no, and 12 per cent were unsure. There are just 63 Maui’s dolphins left on the North Island’s West Coast. They range from Whanganui to Maunganui Bluff, but live mainly off the coast between Manukau Harbour and Port Waikato.
‘‘Fishing restrictions cover only about 40 per cent of Ma¯ui habitat,’’ Hardstaff said. ’’The future of this dolphin continues to hang in the balance which means the main threats – set netting and trawling – should be removed. The Government should be doing the maximum possible rather than the minimum it can get away with.’’
Research released earlier this week by WWF estimated the transition could cost the Government $26 million. A prolific bach burglar released from prison on parole is on the run from police. Five years ago Paora Hine was sentenced to prison for his part in a $90,000 burglary spree of empty north Taranaki baches. Senior Constable Bruce McIntosh said Hine, 34, had reoffended while on parole and the decision had been made recall him to jail. ‘‘There is a warrant for his arrest and he is actively avoiding police.’’ In 2012 Hine, along with Kerry Allan Rhodes of Waitara, admitted breaking into 22 baches and flicking the loot on for drugs, cash and cars. They stole a firearm which was later used in a midday gunfight in Okato near a school. If you have any information on his whereabouts call the New Plymouth police on 06 7595500.
A student who had his bike stolen was reunited with it the same day with the help of Facebook. The man responsible for the theft, Brandon Nathan, appeared in New Plymouth District Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft. On February 27 a New Plymouth Boys’ High School student left his bike unlocked while he attended sports training. When he returned from training he found it missing and posted pictures of it on Facebook. Later, Nathan, who had listed the bike for sale on Facebook, was caught out when friends of the student saw the post online and contacted him saying they wanted to buy the bike and then informed police. Lawyer Susan Hurley said her client admitted it had been wrong to take the bike, but it had been recovered the same day by police and had not been damaged. She also said her client had no previous convictions and was on a farming course, which he hoped would lead to a job. She asked Judge Chris Sygrove to consider a sentence to come up if called upon for her client. ’’A good behaviour bond would keep Mr Nathan focused on his career,’’ Hurley said.
No reparation was sought by police for the theft. Sygrove convicted Nathan and ordered him to complete 60 hours of community work.
A Taranaki man has been charged after a ute carrying seven passengers crashed into a bank, leaving a teenager in critical condition. On Thursday, a 25-year-old man appeared in the New Plymouth District Court where he faces four charges of drunk driving causing injury. It is alleged the New Plymouth man was driving drunk , near Waitara’s Princess St intersection, in the early hours of March 12. Court documents show the man is alleged to have had 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his system, twice the legal limit of 50mg. The man was remanded without plea to reappear in court on April 20. Detective Brad Pollock said a 18-yearold remained in a serious condition in Wellington Hospital. He was flown there from Taranaki Base Hospital for specialist treatment, Pollock said. Six others, including the accused, were also injured in the crash, suffering serious to minor injuries.
Congratulations to Laney Jellick, who has won a trip for four to either Napier, Nelson, or Palmerston North thanks to Jetstar and the Taranaki Daily News. Jellick won the prize, valued at more than $5000 by telling us about her favourite holiday, to the Far North this summer. The package includes two night’s accommodation for four, three day car rental and a regional activity.
Well done Laney, enjoy the trip.