DoC defends dolphin-tag project

The Department of Conservation has rubbished claims that its dolphin-tagging plans go against the advice of its own scientists.

DoC last week announced plans to test satellite-linked transmitters on three South Island Hector's dolphins off Banks Peninsula, to assess the technique's suitability for Maui's dolphins.

The department says the technique - never before used on New Zealand dolphins - will help to save the critically endangered Maui species from extinction.

An estimated 150 Maui's dolphins remain in the world, living off the North Island's west coast.

But the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has claimed that DoC's own marine mammal experts are against the dolphin-tagging.

Citing a DoC scientific report, it said 33 per cent of the rare species would need to be tagged to be of any statistical use, and the risks outweighed the benefits.

Forest and Bird conservation manager Kevin Hackwell said that if tagging was done in summer and winter it would involve two-thirds of the population.

"Two out of three Maui's dolphins could have tags bolted to their fins. This is no way to carry out research on the world's rarest marine dolphin."

But Auckland the regional conservator, Rob McCallum, dismissed the claims as rubbish.

"Our own scientists are saying that the risks are low and the potential benefits are huge."

Mr McCallum said only one dolphin in every second or third "pod" - family group - needed be tagged for effective monitoring. "The guy who's leading the research thinks it might be as low as 10 individuals."

This would be confirmed by the Hector's trial.


"There are more questions than answers and the only way of defining how useful this technique will be ... is to conduct a trial."

Mr McCallum said the report cited by Forest and Bird came from "theoretical" scientists in the US who did not work for DoC.

Animal rights group Safe (Save Animals From Exploitation) and Forest and Bird have been highly critical of the project, which they say could severely damage the dolphins' dorsal fins.

The Green Party urged Conservation Minister Chris Carter to back off the Hector's dolphin tagging plan, saying the risks outweigh the gains.

The party's animal welfare spokeswoman, list MP Sue Kedgley, said the procedure involved capturing dolphins by their tails, dragging them on to a boat, drilling three or four holes through their dorsal fins and bolting a satellite tag in place.

The fins would then be at risk of infection or being snagged.

Ms Kedgley said aerial surveying and underwater hydrophones were gentler and more effective ways of monitoring the dolphins.

- NZPA