Seismic let-down for marine mammals

The Department of Conservation's Code of Conduct for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey Operations, released today, is too weak and ought to be mandatory the Green Party said today.

"The Conservation Minister had an opportunity to really protect our marine mammals but instead has chosen a weak, watered-down voluntary code that puts oil drillers first and endangered marine mammals second," said Green Party Ocean's spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

"The Department of Conservation's comparison of marine mammal mitigation measures worldwide shows that all guidelines/regulations are mandatory except those of New Zealand.

"The Green Party is calling on the Government to make its seismic regulations mandatory now."

Mr Hughes also urged the Conservation Minister to hurry up and announce the extension of the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary which puts limitations on seismic surveys to manage the risk of Maui's dolphin mortality.

"DOC proposed that the sanctuary extension could be implemented by late-May 2012, but the Minister is sitting on her hands.

"With only 55 adult Maui's dolphins remaining, the Conservation Minister must act swiftly to ensure their survival."