The Government is consulting on proposed extensions to marine mammal sanctuaries. These extensions are being proposed as part of the Threat Management Plan (TMP) for Maui and Hector’s dolphins. If you made a submission on the TMP you are likely to have received an email from DOC on the proposed extensions inviting you to comment. We encourage you to make a submission to DOC showing your support.
The key points to make are that you:
- Support the extensions to the West Coast North Island and Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuaries. They also need to be expanded to include all waters with Maui or Hector’s dolphins out to the 100m depth contour. It is important that all the local populations of Hector’s dolphin are protected.
- Support bans on seismic surveying and seabed mining in the five marine mammal sanctuaries. Underwater noise and disturbance of the seabed has the potential to seriously harm dolphins. There only around 60 Maui dolphins left and one death from human causes is a death too many.
- Oppose the exemptions for existing exploration and mining permits. These permits continue until 2046 and so in effect the ban on exploration and mining has been postponed for a quarter century. Action is needed now!
- Urge the Government to strengthen and update the 2013 Code of Conduct for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey Operations as it is now out of date and make the updated Code of Conduct binding on all seismic survey operations.
- Support a ban on seabed mining within Te Rohe o Te Whānau Puha/Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary. The whale sanctuary off the Kaikoura coast is a centre of marine biodiversity and needs protection.
Details of the proposed variations to the marine mammal sanctuaries can be found on the Department of Conservation website
Submission close on 21 July 2020