37104 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries

37104 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What is being done to prevent trawling killing Hector’s dolphins in line with the Bycatch Reduction Plan annual report for the 2023-4 fishing year and how does that compare with set nets?

Hon Shane Jones: I am advised that following any entanglement, Fisheries New Zealand engages directly with the vessel’s skipper and the wider regional fleet to reduce the likelihood of any further captures. Should the number of deaths from fishing approach any of the six regional Fishing-Related Mortality Limits that have been set for Hector’s dolphins, further regulatory restrictions on trawling or set netting are considered. Note that none of these limits have been reached to date.