Sea Shepherd Asks US Court To Ban New Zealand Seafood Exports
The New Zealand Government Is Failing To Protect Rarest Dolphins
In an attempt to help protect the now critically endangered Māui dolphin, Sea Shepherd hopes a US court will ban New Zealand seafood. New Zealand’s government is not doing enough to protect one of its native dolphin species. The country’s seafood exports to the US amount to about NZ$200 million.
The unique Māui dolphin is home only to New Zealand’s waters. It is one of the smallest marine dolphin species in the world and also one of the rarest. The west coast of the North Island is the only place in the world where these unique creatures live, and there are only 54 individuals left.
A report leaked to Radio New Zealand two days ago says this means their number has fallen by 14 percent over the past five years. RNZ Fisheries reporter Conan Young reported that a Department of Conservation (DOC) showed these figures in its latest research. Fishing, diseases such as toxoplasmosis, oil and gas exploration, collisions with boats, mining, tourism and noise are all threats to the Māui dolphins.
The New Zealand government has hired Trade Pacific Law, a top Washington firm, to represent it at the hearing held in New York this Friday (3rd September). However, it has…
