Bycatch Reduction Plan Annual Report damns bottom trawling and it damns dolphins
Thanks for all your support as we challenge one of the most entrenched and damaging industries in the country, one that’s making many species extinct, and has special protection from its conflicted and unrepentant Minister, crony Jones.
A new report out today from the Ministry of Primary Industry confirms what we knew about the fishing industry - killing dolphins, avoidably, in core Hector’s habitat.
But it’s actually much worse than we thought.
The Bycatch Reduction Plan Annual Report shows:
- Twelve of the fifteen Hector’s dolphin deaths in the 2023-4 reporting period were killed by bottom trawling.
- All deaths were in 10-23 metres of water and at speeds under 3 nautical miles (nm) an hour,
- Six of those deaths were within 2nm of shore - core Hector’s habitat.
- In five instances, the fishing industry ignored ‘closed’ areas where dolphins had already been killed.
- On at least four occasions, the same fishing boats killed Hector’s dolphins then went out and killed more.
- In at least one instance within the 2023-4 reporting period, a Hector’s dolphin killed was falsely reported as another species.
No dolphin should be killed in a fishing net, and they should be safe throughout their range.
The Bycatch Reduction Plan Annual Report proves the real risks from trawl nets (in particular, and bottom trawling, even at slow speeds) and set nets, operating right where the dolphins live. Trawl and set nets and dolphins can not coexist.
The only solution to extinction is to get the nets out of the dolphins’ home. The increased transparency from cameras on boats and the Bycatch Reduction Plan Annual Report show this is essential.
If you haven’t already signed the petition calling on the Prime Minister to protect Hector’s throughout their range - please sign and share it here.
You can read the full Bycatch Reduction Plan Annual Report here
Posted: 23 April 2025