Kedgley Sue: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Kedgley Sue: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:615;Page:11295] 
7.  
SUE KEDGLEY (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: Will he urgently review the proposed tagging of endangered Hector’s dolphins with satellite-linked transmitters; if not why not? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 No. I have looked into this matter and given careful consideration to the criticisms that have been raised. I am satisfied that the trial using ultra-light tags on just three Hector’s dolphins is well designed with meticulous attention being paid to the welfare of the dolphins. Satellite tagging is used routinely on marine mammals overseas. 
Sue Kedgley 
: Does the Minister acknowledge that tagging dolphins is an invasive procedure which involves capturing them by their tails dragging them into a boat drilling three or four holes through their dorsal fins and bolting the tag in place and that as well as causing these exquisite creatures to suffer it may put their lives at risk—therefore why would the Department of Conservation not use other safer techniques that give better information about dolphin distribution? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Handling any endangered species carries risk but my department is interested in the conservation of those species. We have great experience in using electronic tracking devices. I remind that member that but for tracking devices we would not have been able to save the kakapo which is a far more endangered species. 
David Parker 
: Why is more information needed on Maui’s dolphin? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: There may be 150 or fewer of these dolphins left. Time is not on our side. Trying to find these dolphins in thousands of square kilometres of ocean is like looking for needles in a haystack. Aerial surveys are helpful but we urgently need to know more about their daily and seasonal movements. Satellite tagging could give us those answers. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Would the Minister explain why the Government is prepared to spend more on a sophisticated monitoring system for dolphins than it is for people on home detention and repeat sexual offenders? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I have the privilege of being responsible for endangered native species. That question might be better directed towards another colleague. 
Larry Baldock 
: Does the Minister think that any discomfort and small risk to the dolphins is preferable to their ending up in a can of tuna; and does he also agree that the Department of Conservation is having a bad day indeed when even its old allies the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and the Greens are opposing their efforts to save an endangered species? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The Department of Conservation and indeed myself have a real sense of urgency about saving Maui’s dolphins. There may be fewer than 200 of these creatures left and we have to take every means we can to try to save them. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Does the Minister acknowledge that the information that could be obtained by the use of transmitters and satellite tagging is unlikely to be robust enough to support for example further restriction on fishing methods and therefore is unlikely to contribute much to the long-term protection of the species? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I must stress to the House that the activities that the Department of Conservation will be involved in during the next few days on this issue are just a trial. Just three specimens will be involved. If the trial is successful and provides us with opportunities for further conservation action then we will certainly look at that. 
Sue Kedgley 
: Why did the Department of Conservation go against the advice of its own scientists as well as conservation and animal welfare groups; and is not the almost unanimous outcry over the proposed trial from groups and individuals who are usually highly supportive of the department’s efforts on species conservation good reason for the Minister to put the proposals on hold at least to allow further investigations into their validity? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I would concede that there is debate over these techniques. That is why we are involving ourselves in a trial involving just three specimens. If the trial shows that there are conservation actions we can take we will certainly take them because we are determined to try to save Maui’s dolphin.