Comments on: Greens say vote against dolphin protection ‘outrageous’

By: Alexander K

Alexander K — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:48:02 +0000

This affair brings to mind the problem that well-meaning environmental scientists caused in the very recent past by banding Penguins, so reducing the Penguins ability to swim freely by a tiny margin, resulting in large numbers of dead Penguins who could not swim at the level required to feed themselves. There is always a cost for any intervention by ‘conservationists’ and we need to know that cost before actions can be contemplated.
I am all for the sensible conservation of marine life, dolphins included, but having been misled by ‘concerned environmentalists’ and their tame reporters in the past, I suspect the Herald’s report may not be entirely complete or truthful.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 21:25:23 +0000

Of course it goes without saying that if an endangered or protected species were under threat from wind energy (such as the Tasmanian Wedge Tailed Eagle, or the Golden Eagle in the USA) you would hear absolutely nothing from the environmental lobby groups

By: Richard Treadgold

Richard Treadgold — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 21:19:50 +0000

Well, fancy that! What a great chance to find out more. Far be it from me to criticise work I’ve not seen by a person I’ve never met. However, it’s entirely possible that between contracted research and politicised report ideology takes over (being the WWF). I stress the need to engage in a cost-benefit analysis whenever it’s proposed that we attempt to “save” a dying species. This news report was notable for its lack of information.

By: Clarence

Clarence — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:01:08 +0000

According to Wikipedia, there are only 55 Maui dolphins, and they all live off the West coast of the North Island.

In a secret vote at a conservationist convention, I would expect a 100% vote for anything that might sound like it could help that tiny tribe to prosper. Evacuate Taranaki? Sure. Declare New Zealand a marine reserve? Why not?

What’s most disturbing about all this is that NZ’s own delegates would’ve cheerfully gone along with any measures anybody dreamed up – except that the adults got to hear about this caper, and put a dampener on it.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 04:28:51 +0000

As it happens I know the person at WWF behind this – Rebecca Bird is a friend of the family and has a masters degree in marine biology. I don’t think she is using an unscientific approach to her work.

I don’t know enough about the specifics of this case to comment further. We do need to protect endangered species but we also need to consider the commercial implications for fishing.

By: Richard Treadgold

Richard Treadgold — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 03:44:49 +0000

The dolphins are being protected by the same people protecting the climate, who bring to the task the same disregard of costs, since we will pay them. There’s a strong possibility they also bring the same disregard of scientific method.

By: NZ Climate

NZ Climate — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 01:40:00 +0000

It seems Jo’s Nova’s wbsite has been hacked again. My own comment on this:

I just visited Watssupwiththat, and it appears that Jo’s site has been hacked again. An interesting approach to debate; seek to shut down the voice of those who disagree with you……

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 09:11:38 +0000

There are plenty of Hector’s dolphins off the coast of Canterbury. You can catch a boat on either Lyttelton or Akaroa harbour and you are almost guaranteed to see Hector’s dolphins

As for Maui dolphins, I couldn’t comment

By: Simon

Simon — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 08:49:24 +0000

What has this got to do with climate?
10-15 years ago, every time I went surfing, kite-surfing, or windsurfing off the North Otago coast I would see Hector dolphins. I have not seen any in the last 5 years. Where have they gone? What has killed them?
I thought there was already a ban on gill-net fishing close to shore. If there wasn’t the estimated by-catch would be 110-150 Hector dolphins p.a. out of a population of 7000 according to Wikipedia.