Fisherman challenges govt dolphin numbers
A commercial fisherman in Taranaki has rubbished new government data which shows increased Maui’s dolphin numbers.
The research - conducted by the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Primary Industries - found there are about 63 adults left in the species whereas there was previously thought to have been only 55.
New Plymouth fisherman Rob Ansley said claims by minister Nathan Guy that set-net restrictions were having a positive effect on Maui’s numbers were ‘‘a load of s..t’’.
Ansley said government observers aboard fishing boats in Taranaki waters had not seen a single Maui’s dolphin since they started observing in 2012. ‘‘How can it be working if no one has ever had a confirmed sighting of these dolphins,’’ he said.
In 2012 the Government put in place set-net restrictions for commercial fishermen, created the North Island marine mammal sanctuary and employed dolphin observers to look for Maui’s dolphin while on board commercial fishing vessels.
Ansley said his observer had not made a single Maui’s dolphin sighting in 900 days over the past four years.
‘‘It’s absolutely crippled my business, I used to have 18 staff, now I have myself and one other full-timer,’’ he said. ‘‘I used to love fishing, now I just want to pay off my debts and get the hell out.’’
He said the it was time for the Government to reduce the restrictions or accept the results of its own findings.
A spokesperson for MPI confirmed there had never been a Maui’s or Hectors dolphin sighting in Taranaki by an observer but said this was not unexpected. ‘‘The distribution of such a rare animal, especially around the edge of its distribution, is likely to result in very few sightings,’’ the spokesperson said.