WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand plans to ban commercial fishing near its coast and set up marine reserves to protect the rare Hector's dolphins, a government minister said on Thursday
The Hector's dolphin is estimated to number around 7,400from 29,000 in the late 1970s. However, one of its sub-species,the Maui dolphin, is said to be the rarest in the world andfacing extinction with as few as 111 animals left.
Fishing is blamed for up to three-quarters of the knowndeaths of Hector's dolphins.
"The measures strike the best achievable balance betweenthe protection of these iconic dolphins and the activities ofour commercial and recreational fishers," said FisheriesMinister Jim Anderton.
He said the measures were estimated to cost the commercialfishing industry up to 295 jobs and NZ$79.1 million (31 millionpounds) over the next 10 years.
The dolphins grow to around 1.4 metres (40 inches) comparedwith up to 4 metres for the common Bottlenose dolphin, livearound 20 years, and breed slowly.
They usually live in small groups of no more than five andfeed on inshore fish species, which brings them into contactwith fishing nets.
However, conservationists said the measures were barelyadequate.
"At best today's decision is a half measure that fails toensure the dolphins' recovery or survival," said Dr BarbaraMass of the Care for the Wild International group.
The commercial fishing industry said the decision would notsave any more dolphins, but would ruin some businesses.
(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
