New report estimates cost of saving Maui dolphins

A new report from global conservation organisation WWF estimates that transitioning to dolphin-safe fishing in the habitat of New Zealand’s critically endangered Maui dolphin could be done for as little as $26 million.

Endemic to New Zealand, there are thought to be just 63 Maui dolphins over the age of one year remaining.

However, the newly released WWF-New Zealand report – cresearched by Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) - examines the potential costs of removing the major fishing threats of set-netting and trawling from the Maui dolphin habitat on the West Coast of the North Island. The report also assesses what it could cost to help fishers transition to dolphin-safe methods.

The report reveals that this transition could be achieved at an estimated cost to the New Zealand government of between $26 million and $40 million. This is the first publicly available research that attempts to quantify the economic implications of removing the threats and shifting to dolphin-safe fishing in Maui dolphin habitat. It represents an important contribution to the discussion and provides a basis on which further, more detailed work can build.

Commenting on the findings, Peter Hardstaff, Head of Campaigns at WWF-New Zealand explains "$26 million is less than what the Government spent on the flag referendum. It’s less than the cost of 330 metres of the Warkworth to Wellsford Motorway. It’s less than three years of Ministerial travel expenses.

“It’s only 0.03% of the Government’s annual budget, and less than 1% of the Government’s projected surplus this year.

“Surely as a nation we can spend this on creating a proper sanctuary where the Maui dolphin population can thrive and expand while keeping people fishing?”

Hardstaff added “it’s a small amount to save our precious Maui dolphins from extinction. We call on the government and all political parties to commit to helping fishers transition to dolphin-safe practices in Maui dolphin habitat.

"This report provides a useful and important first estimate of potential costs. But it’s vital that more detailed work is undertaken to examine and understand the transition options that might be workable for different fishers because there will be no ‘one size fits all’ solution.

"Together, it is possible to save the Maui dolphins while supporting those whose livelihoods depend on fishing.

“In December 2016, two fishing companies, Sanford Limited and Moana New Zealand, made a ground-breaking commitment to phasing out dolphin-unsafe fishing, including a series of voluntary actions. It’s now time for the Government to come to the table."

8th December 2016 - FIRST ENDANGERED BABY HECTOR’S DOLPHIN SPOTTED IN AKAROA HARBOUR 

3rd March 2016 - UNITED NATIONS MARKS WORLD WILDLIFE DAY WITH A GLOBAL CALL TO SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES

14th June 2014 - NEW ZEALAND REJECTS CALLS TO FURTHER PROTECT MAUI’S DOLPHIN 

6th June 2014 - KELLY TARLTON’S SEA LIFE AQUARIUM DIVES IN TO SUPPORT ENDANGERED DOLPHINS 

29th December 2012 - RARE DOLPHIN CALVES GOOD NEWS FOR FUTURE OF SPECIES

20th April 2012 - NEW ZEALAND TOURISM OPERATOR LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY THAT TALKS TO DOLPHINS

4th April 2012 - RARE DOLPHINS BOOSTED BY SOUTH ISLAND SEA SANCTUARY