27 Dec 2008

Fishing industry pleased with dolphin outcome

12:28 pm on 27 December 2008

The fishing industry says no endangered Hector's or Maui's dolphins were caught in areas where the High Court allowed general fishing.

Restrictions on commercial and recreational set netting, trawling and drift netting were introduced on 1 October to help protect the two dolphin populations.

The restrictions, which covered about two-thirds of New Zealand's coastline, were challenged in the High Court and an interim relief period was granted to Christmas Day.

The agreement allowed a small number of fisherman to fish where no dolphin interactions have been recorded.

The president of the Federation of Commercial Fishermen, Doug Saunders-Loder, says the fact that no Hectors or Maui dolphins were caught proves the fishing industry's request was reasonable.