Photo: Unknown
The World Wildlife Fund is considering joining a possible legal challenge to new rules to protect the critically endagered Maui's dolphin, saying the new restrictions are damaging to New Zealand's international reputation.
The challenge is being led a German conservation group, NABU International, which says the new measures are inadequate.
New fishing restrictions extend a ban on the use of set nets by 350 square kilometres off the Taranaki coast.
But the WWF campaign head, Peter Hardstaff, says the critically endangered dolphin's habitat extends well beyond that and the ruling sends the wrong message.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith has refused to comment on any possible legal action and says that Government stands by its measures to protect the dolphin.