By ANNE BESTON environment reporter
The Government's conservation agency is at loggerheads with a leading dolphin researcher over plans to bolt electronic tags to the fins of one of the world's rarest dolphins.
The Department of Conservation wants to begin testing satellite tracking tags on the South Island Hector's dolphin in two
weeks, but the goal of the research is to gather population and distribution data on the Hector's critically endangered cousin, the North Island Maui's dolphin.
Maui's dolphins are found only off the west coast of the North Island and population estimates range between 80 and 150, putting them at the top of the critically endangered list.
Otago University's Dr Liz Slooten, who has studied the Hector's dolphin since 1984 and is considered a leading researcher on both species, has strongly criticised the fin-tagging plan along with conservation lobby group Forest and Bird.
The Herald understands some of DoC's own mammalian scientists are also unhappy with the plan.
Dr Slooten said electronic tags had caused "gruesome" injuries overseas.
"It is totally unnecessary, it seems to be technology-driven rather than science or conservation-driven," she said.
Other methods of population monitoring, such as aerial surveying and using underwater hydrophones, were better alternatives.
DoC acknowledged that the research had risks.
"We are reluctant to use an invasive technique, but desperate times call for desperate measures," said Auckland DoC head Rob McCallum.
The tags had been specifically designed for the species by a team of Danish scientists with long experience of electronic tagging.
The tags were about the size of two matchboxes and weighed 50g, compared with the older technology, which weighed 500g.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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