We call on ECan to protect Hector’s from fishing related impacts, through the Council’s Regional Plan.
Why is this important?
Upokohue/ Hector’s dolphins are one of the rarest marine dolphins in the world. Their greatest concentrations are found on the west and east coasts of the South Island and have the conservation status of ‘nationally vulnerable’. Hector’s dolphins are threatened by many human activities.
No dolphins should die as a result of fishing related practices. Yet fishing impacts have been devastating for the species. Dolphins continue to be killed in trawl nets. The rules around bycatch - and fishing near shore, are too weak.
The fishing boat Austro Carina grounded at Banks Peninsula near a marine reserve in September 2023 with 10,000 litres of diesel and 400 litres of hydraulic oil on board and, threatening wildlife. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission found that it crashed because of inadequate watchkeeping - there was noone in the wheelhouse at the time, so no one was monitoring the vessel’s ‘course, speed and position’. It was legally fishing within endangered Hector’s habitat, less than 2m from shore, which shows it’s not just direct fishing risks that threaten Hector’s habitat, but fishing related activities and ‘accidents’ too.
A small population of Hector’s lives in Lyttelton Harbour and is already threatened by industrial activities, noise and massive cruise ships. The competitive boat race SailGP also occurs in the dolphin habitat, and tourism also impacts on the dolphins.
Environment Canterbury can fix this, and it must. We call on ECan to protect Hector’s from fishing related impacts through the Council’s Regional Plan.