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Further consultation on fisheries measures to protect Hector’s dolphins in the South Island

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand would like your feedback on fisheries measures to further protect South Island Hector's dolphins.

The Government previously extended the bans on commercial and recreational use of set nets to protect South Island Hector's dolphins. However, the options for trawl closures in the South Island were not decided at that time. The Government determined that further consultation was required on other approaches to manage the remaining fisheries risk in the South Island.

This consultation is open from 11 October to 5pm on 6 December 2021.

About the proposed changes

The proposed fisheries measures to further protect South Island Hector's dolphins within the north, east, and south coasts are:

  • a "bycatch reduction plan" to work with fishers to avoid all dolphin mortality while allowing fishing to continue where possible
  • an expansion of trawl gear restrictions (low headline height trawl net or slow tow speed or both) in Tasman and Golden Bays, Pegasus Bay, Canterbury Bight to Timaru, and Te Waewae Bay
  • a further area closure to commercial and recreational set net fishing around Banks Peninsula.

These options are in addition to the status quo (the current fishing restrictions) and can be considered separately or as a package, on the north, east, and south coasts of the South Island.

Consultation documents

Related information

Frequently asked questions – Additional fisheries measures to protect South Island Hector’s dolphins [PDF, 365 KB] 

Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation 

Spatial risk assessment of threats to Hector's and Māui dolphins [PDF, 8.9 MB]

Review of the Hector's and Māui dolphin Threat Management Plan

Consultation for cameras on boats – Youtube

Making your submission

Send us your feedback by 5pm on 6 December 2021.

If you have questions before you complete your submission, email dolphinTMP@mpi.govt.nz

You can make a written submission or answer the prepared questions using our online survey.

Complete our online survey on fisheries measures to protect South Island Hector's dolphins – SurveyMonkey

Note that if you choose to make a submission by completing our online survey, you can include any additional feedback as well as answering the prepared questions.

How to send a written submission

Email written submissions to dolphinTMP@mpi.govt.nz 

While we prefer email, you can post your written submission to:

Dolphin TMP team
Fisheries New Zealand
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation: 'Further consultation on fisheries measures to protect Hector's dolphins in the South Island'
  • your name and title
  • your organisation's name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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