Mixed ruling on dolphin

Fishing industry efforts to trim protection for endangered Hector's and Maui's dolphins had mixed results in the High Court at Wellington.

Lawyers for the Federation of Commercial Fishermen tried to block six proposed bans on set netting. and inshore trawling.

The court ruled yesterday to refer two back to Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley for reconsideration.

They were the extension of set net closures on the North Island's West Coast from four nautical miles to seven nautical miles, and the closure of an area of the South Island's East Coast to targeted fishing of butterfish.

But the court upheld four other 2008 restrictions that the federation challenged. They were:

* Extension of a set netting prohibition further into Manukau Harbour

* The seasonal two nautical miles set net prohibition on the West Coast of the South Island

* The four nautical mile set net closure off Southland's Te Waewae Bay

* A decision not to exempt targeted fishing of butterfish near Bluff.

Mr Heatley said it was an important judgment on a major issue which he would consider carefully with officials. Net fishing is the biggest killer of the two endemic dolphin species.

New Zealand has signed international treaties which oblige it to save the dolphins.

Maui's is the world's rarest marine dolphin - an estimated 111 still survive.

- NZPA