Executive summary
When whales die as a result of stranding, the bone is often collected. That bone is often traded, gifted or exchanged. The provisions of the Marine Mammals Protection Act that govern these activities are difficult to use and enforce and so are, by and large, not complied with. This means that most current domestic trade1 in whale bone is illegal.
A well-designed and simple regulatory regime to control domestic trade in whale bone could be developed to allow appropriate changes in the ownership of whalebone, without reducing the protection for whales, and whilst maintaining New Zealand's international obligations and upholding our reputation as a country concerned about the protection of whales.
Tangata whenua are actively involved in whale strandings and the removal and preparation of bone. It has been suggested that a framework for the involvement of iwi/hapu in the management of whale stranding events be included in the Marine Mammals Protection Act, reflecting the best practice that has developed over recent years.
This paper seeks comment on two proposals:
- An improved regulatory regime that would enable the domestic trade in whale bone to be managed simply and efficiently, without compromising the protected status of whales.
- Statutory recognition in the Marine Mammals Protection Act of the role of tangata whenua in the management of whale stranding events.
The closing date for submissions is 1 March 2008.
Please send your submission to:
Whale Bone Review
Department of Conservation
PO Box 10420
The Terrace
WELLINGTON 6143
or email to: whalebone@doc.govt.nz.
Any enquiries may be directed to the above email address, or to Christine Jacobson (telephone) +64 4 471 3118.
Submissions on this discussion paper may be posted on DOC's website and are subject to disclosure under the Official Information Act 1982. Persons making submissions that include commercially or otherwise sensitive material that they wish DOC to withhold under the Official Information Act should clearly identify the relevant information and the applicable grounds under which the DOC could withhold the information.
The contact details of respondents will not be made public. They will, however, be recorded and may be used for clarification of comments if required.
1 In this paper domestic trade includes commercial trade, gifting and exchange.
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