WWF - WWF New Zealand office

NZ govt fails Maui's dolphins on global stage

2012-09-21

Wellington –The New Zealand government has come under fire for opposing action to save the critically endangered Maui's dolphin at the world's largest conservation summit – with leading conservation groups calling New Zealand's actions on the international stage 'shameful'.

A motion to stop the extinction of the world's rarest dolphins and porpoises, including New Zealand's Hector's and Maui's dolphins and Mexico's vaquitas, was passed with an overwhelming majority at the IUCN's World Conservation Congress in Jeju, Korea last week.

576 IUCN members, including governments and NGOs, voted for the motion, and only two opposed. The New Zealand government was one of them.

Rebecca Bird, WWF's Marine Programme Manager, said: "There is overwhelming global support for the New Zealand government to take action to stop gillnet and trawl fishing threatening the survival of our endangered dolphins.

"By voting against essential protection for the world's most endangered marine dolphin, the New Zealand government has acted shamefully and can no longer claim to be leaders in conservation. If we fail to act now, it will not be long before Maui's disappear from our waters forever."

Barry Weeber, co-chair of the Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand (ECO), which sponsored the motion, received input on the proposal from members of the IUCN's Species Survival Commission Cetaceans Specialist Group. "Almost everyone apart from the New Zealand government wanted to see a strong resolution that recognised the threatened status of these special dolphins and porpoises."

Karli Thomas, Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner, said: "Our government is letting minority business interests ride rough shod over the values of ordinary New Zealanders. By voting against this call to protect our most endangered dolphin, New Zealand has arrogantly dismissed international concern and has severely tarnished our global reputation."

WWF-New Zealand, Greenpeace, ECO and Forest & Bird are campaigning to protect the critically endangered Maui's and endangered Hector's dolphins from extinction, and support the IUCN resolution that was overwhelmingly endorsed by members at the Jeju meeting.

Conservation advances at IWC

2012-07-06

Panama City – The 64th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) closed today with major steps toward the conservation of whales and dolphins, many of which are highly threatened. Meeting in Panama City this week, governments pushed forward initiatives geared at reducing dangerous marine debris and minimizing subsea noise from industrial activities, which can disorient and injure and even kill whales.

"WWF commends IWC member states for joining together to tackle the most critical threats to cetaceans, such as fisheries bycatch, ship strikes, and the expansion of oil and gas development." said Wendy Elliott, head of WWF's delegation to the IWC. "As land-based resources are depleted, exploitation of the oceans is growing rapidly. We must not allow another shameful decline of whales from human activities, which were driven to near extinction during the peak years of whaling."

Warnings from the IWC's Scientific Committee about the grave state of Mexico's vaquita porpoise and the Maui's dolphin in New Zealand generated expressions of deep concern from many countries. The committee recommended that Mexico and New Zealand ban all fishing gillnets from the critically endangered animals' habitats to prevent entanglement deaths.

New threats

IWC governments also expressed concern over the threat posed by increasing development of off-shore oil and gas projects. The whale-rich Arctic waters off Alaska could see their first ever drilling operations from oil giant Shell as early as this month. Shell admits that technology does not exist to clean up an oil spill in harsh Arctic conditions.

"Considering that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could not be contained, even in the best of conditions, an Arctic spill would cause an even greater environmental disaster," said Leigh Henry, Senior Policy Advisor for WWF-US. "At this point in time, the risks from oil and gas operations in the Arctic, including the noise pollution that impacts whales' ability to survive, outweigh the benefits. Arctic drilling is a short-sighted solution to our long-term energy needs."

Similarly, in the Russian Far East, oil companies are planning to build new off-shore drilling platforms near the feeding area of critically endangered western gray whales. It was noted by governments that the cumulative impacts of additional platforms have not been studied.

There are only an estimated 150 western gray whales remaining, and the waters off Sakhalin Island are the only place where they can teach their calves to feed. Loud noise pulses used by oil companies in the exploratory phase are known to interfere with whales' behaviour and could cause western gray whales to abandon their primary feeding habitat.

Monaco's commissioner cautioned that the expansion of oil and gas exploration is a "dangerous development" taking place worldwide that could seriously interfere with preservation of the marine environment.

Fireworks on IWC floor

The meeting's most explosive moment came Wednesday when the Republic of Korea shocked delegates by announcing plans to conduct so-called 'scientific whaling' of an endangered minke whale population. The move triggered widespread condemnation from conservation groups and world leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The meeting also witnessed debate over a proposal from Monaco for greater engagement of the United Nations in addressing unregulated whaling on the high seas conducted outside IWC's control. Unable to reach a consensus decision, it was decided that discussions on the topic would continue after the meeting.

Just before close of the gathering, IWC governments decided to shift to bi-annual meetings, although no nation has stepped forward to host the commission in 2014.

IWC calls for net bans to prevent extinctions

2012-07-06

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has taken up the cause of some of the world's most critically endangered marine mammals by calling on governments to keep fishing nets out of their waters to prevent entanglement deaths.

Mexico's vaquita porpoise and the Maui's dolphin of New Zealand were a focus of discussions today between countries gathered in Panama City for the commission's annual meeting. Governments urged Mexico and New Zealand to take all possible measures immediately to save the animals from extinction.

"It's time for diplomatic niceties and step-wise strategies to take a back seat to immediate, concrete action with no compromise," said Michael Stachowitsch, delegate of Austria to the IWC.

There are believed to be fewer than 200 vaquitas left, and only 55 remaining Maui's dolphins over a year old. Both animals are severely threatened by accidental bycatch in gillnet fisheries. A total ban on the use of gillnets in the entire ranges of both populations is needed to secure their survival, according to the IWC Scientific Committee's report.

Scientists say that unless immediate action is taken the vaquita population could soon be extinct. The only known loss of a mammal species from human causes was the Chinese baiji, or Yangtze river dolphin, which was declared functionally extinct by the IWC in 2006. Governments cautioned that this worst case scenario is near for vaquita.

"Mexico has the power to save this unique species by banning all gillnets in vaquita habitat," said Aimee Leslie, WWF's marine turtle and cetacean manager.

A similar ban on gillnets and trawl nets is urgently needed throughout the whole habitat of Maui's dolphin, which is found only in the shallow waters surrounding the North Island of New Zealand. Protection measures announced by the government last week are not enough to save the animals from extinction.

"Advances in technology mean that fishermen and Maui's dolphins can safely share New Zealand's waters. We urge the government to deploy alternative fishing gear that is dolphin-friendly and keep all gillnets and trawl nets out of Maui's habitat," Leslie said.

Incidental capture in fishing operations is the biggest threat to cetacean species today. It is estimated that more than 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die each year from entanglement in many types of fishing gear, which is an average of one cetacean killed by bycatch every two minutes.

Despite their small numbers, hope remains for vaquitas and Maui's dolphins. If bycatch is eliminated, scientists believe populations can recover. WWF is supporting the development of alternative fishing gear that is safer for cetaceans and marine turtles.

Future for endangered whales lies with IWC

2012-07-02

Panama City – The 64th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) opens today in Panama. The conference comes at a time intense pressure on whales, dolphins and porpoises from human activities. Governments are set to discuss severe marine threats such as oil and gas exploration and fisheries bycatch, which are driving some cetacean populations to near extinction, as well as stronger measures to protect cetaceans, such as sanctuary establishment.

"IWC member governments have already begun to strengthen the convention's conservation agenda and we are urging them to keep conservation front and centre at this week's meeting," said Wendy Elliott, head of WWF's delegation. "The most severe threats to whales today are the result of industrial activities like off-shore drilling and commercial fishing that must be better managed. IWC countries have the opportunity this week to show leadership and protect cetaceans in their national waters and on the high seas."

Oil and gas expansion

WWF has learned that oil giant Shell plans to begin drilling operations in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas off Alaska as early as this month, which could mark the beginning of a massive oil exploration effort throughout US Arctic waters. The harsh Arctic environment with its rough seas, violent storms, icy waters and long periods of darkness renders current spill response procedures woefully inadequate. Technology simply does not exist to clean up an oil spill in these conditions.

Similarly, in the Russian Far East, oil companies are planning to build new off-shore drilling platforms near the feeding area of critically endangered western gray whales. There are only an estimated 26 breeding females remaining and the oil-rich zone off Sakhalin Island is the only place where they can teach their calves to feed.

The noise generated by oil and gas exploration results in some of the loudest sounds that can be produced underwater by man. The explosive pulses generated by seismic testing airguns can disrupt whales' behaviour and even cause their death.

Saving the smallest

WWF is extremely concerned about the survival of Maui's dolphins in New Zealand and Mexico's vaquita porpoises, two critically endangered cetaceans at risk of extinction due to entanglements in fishing gear. Fisheries bycatch is estimated to kill 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises each year. There are fewer than 200 vaquitas left and only 55 Maui's dolphins over one year old. To save them, WWF is calling for an immediate ban on the use of gillnets in their entire habitats.

Iceland's fin whale hunt

WWF remains deeply concerned that Iceland could resume commercial hunting of fin whales, an endangered species. WWF urges the government of Iceland to adhere to the internationally agreed moratorium on commercial whaling and publically commit to stopping its fin whale hunt for good.

Whale sanctuaries

A proposal to establish a whale sanctuary in South Atlantic waters between Africa and South America is set for debate at this week's meeting. WWF urges parties to support a sanctuary in this region where whale-watching has been steadily increasing, providing ecotourism income, benefits for local communities, and research opportunities.

Follow us on Twitter @WWF or @Wendy__Elliott for live updates from the IWC meeting

Half measures fail to save Maui's dolphins from extinction

2012-06-28

The New Zealand government has today announced half measures that will fail to save the remaining estimated 55 Maui's dolphins from imminent extinction, says WWF.

"There are now fewer Maui's dolphins than kakapo left in the world," said Rebecca Bird, WWF-New Zealand's Marine Programme Manager. "And yet this decision means the government is knowingly allowing a method of fishing that kills dolphins to go ahead in their habitat. Instead of seizing the opportunity to give Maui's the best chance for survival and population recovery, these measures are simply not enough to protect the species from extinction," she said.

The interim measures will minimally increase protection on the Taranaki coast south from Pariokariwa Point to Hawera including extending the set net ban out to 2-nautical miles and allowing the use of commercial set nets between 2 to 7 nautical miles when an observer is on board.

The measures fail to adequately protect dolphins from commercial and recreational gillnet fishing and trawling throughout their entire range. Fishing is the number one threat to their survival. The marine corridor between the South and North Islands and harbours also remain largely unprotected despite this being important habitat for critically endangered Maui's dolphins.

"The newly announced measures are weaker than the government's own proposed option to best manage the risk to Maui's dolphins. After months of delay, it is shocking that there are still critical areas of Maui's habitat where they could drown in gillnets and trawl nets," said Ms Bird. "The measures also fail to protect the marine corridors that connect Hector's dolphins from the south with Maui's, which scientists consider could hold the key to the survival of the species."

The Minister of Primary Industries announced the measures after public consultations and a lengthy delay, pending a review of the Hectors and Maui's Dolphin Threat Management Plan later this year.

"This area should have been fully protected back in 2008 when the government introduced new fishing restrictions. Yet it has taken more dead dolphins, an obstructive legal challenge by the fishing industry and further evidence of a serious decline in the population before the government acted. A Maui's dolphin was reported killed by a commercial fisher off the Taranaki in January, in an area of known dolphin habitat that we have long argued should be off limits to gill nets," says Ms Bird.

"We need to do everything we can to ensure the decline of these dolphins is reversed. Small steps will not achieve this; we need bold measures and genuine leadership that will ensure a future for these dolphins."

The official estimate placing the population of Maui's dolphins at just 55 individuals over the age of one was released by the Department of Conservation in March this year. It was based on DNA sampling and profiling carried out by a team of scientists at Auckland University.

Government commissioned science indicates that we can only afford to lose one dolphin at the hands of humans every 10 to 23 years without impacting on the population's ability to recover.

"We hope history will prove this not to be a case of too little, too late," said Ms Bird. "WWF will continue to speak on behalf of the vast majority of New Zealanders who want strong government action to save this precious species. The global community are also watching. Maui's are in such a precarious situation we simply cannot afford to lose a single dolphin."

WWF is calling for New Zealanders to join its campaign for Maui's to be protected from all threats throughout their range, at www.stoptheirextinction.org.nz

For more information, please contact:

Rosa Argent, WWF-New Zealand Communications Manager, tel: +64 4 471 4292 / + 64 27 212 3103

Jenny Riches WWF-New Zealand Marketing & Communications Manager, tel: +64 4 4714288 / +64 274477158

New Zealand's natural heritage threatened by 20 years of environmental inaction

2012-05-28

Wellington, New Zealand - Less than a month before world leaders meet at a major environmental summit, a new report warns that New Zealand is failing to protect some of its iconic species and habitats following a series of broken promises made at the Earth Summit 20 years ago.

'Beyond Rio' is released today by global conservation organisation WWF ahead of next month's meeting on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro, the location of the groundbreaking 1992 Earth Summit. At the historic summit New Zealand signed up to a series of agreements to tackle climate change, conserve biodiversity and live more sustainably.

However WWF's report reveals the nation is falling short on important commitments made on greenhouse gases, water quality, land and marine biodiversity, fisheries and education for sustainability.

Chris Howe, Executive Director of WWF-New Zealand said, "Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, is now a land of polluted rivers and lakes, rising greenhouse gas emissions, pressured marine ecosystems and disappearing bird and mammal species.

"While it is important for the government to constructively engage in the upcoming summit, we should not lose sight of the many commitments that already exist. If New Zealand's political leaders had made good on the promises made back in 1992, then we wouldn't be faced with such a battle to turn things around. "

Key findings of the report include:

Increased pollution in our lakes and rivers, including 43 per cent of monitored lakes in NZ now classed as polluted and an estimated 18,000-34,000 people annually catching waterborne diseases.
More than 60 per cent of native freshwater fish as well as the only freshwater crayfish and mussel species are now threatened with extinction.
Seven of New Zealand's ten official 'indicator species' for measuring biodiversity status are threatened. The Kokako, for example, has suffered a 90 per cent contraction in its range since the 1970s.
Iconic species such as Maui's dolphins and NZ sea lions are listed as 'nationally critical'. Only an estimated 55 Maui's over the age of one year remain and NZ sea lion pup numbers have halved over the past 12 years at their main breeding area in the Auckland Islands.
Almost two-thirds of New Zealand's seabird species are listed as threatened with extinction. The main threats to seabirds are predation by introduced mammals, fishing methods and human disturbance.
New Zealand's gross emissions have risen by 20% since 1992, due to increased pollution from energy, transport, agriculture and industry sectors. Even with our weakened Emissions Trading Scheme, emissions are projected to continue to rise.

Although the picture looks bleak, the report points to solutions that can help New Zealand improve its environmental record and restore integrity to its international commitments.

"Solutions do exist to the problems we face, but the political will has been sorely lacking," said Chris Howe. "As world leaders prepare to meet again in Rio this June, we urge John Key's government to heed this report's wake up call and, regardless of new agreements, take immediate steps honour our existing international commitments."

"New Zealand's future social and economic well-being is dependant on functioning and flourishing ecosystems. Sustainability must be put at the heart of decision-making to ensure a future where people live in harmony with nature."

For more information contact:

Rosa Argent, WWF-New Zealand Communications Manager, rargent@wwf.org.nz, 04 471 4292 / 027 212 3103

Sanctuary boundaries need to extend south to protect last 55 Maui's dolphins

2012-04-27

Wellington, New Zealand – WWF-New Zealand is calling on the Department of Conservation to help protect the world's remaining Maui's dolphins by extending the boundary of the Marine Mammal Sanctuary further south and suspending all current mining and seismic activity in their habitat.

The Department of Conservation's call for submissions on its interim proposal to extend the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary close today, 27 April.

Milena Palka, WWF-New Zealand Marine Advocate, said: "The number one threat to the survival of our Maui's dolphins is fishing with nets. However with the population so perilously low, all other human threats including boat strike, seismic surveys and seabed mining (for minerals such as iron sands) need to be removed from their habitat to give these dolphins a fighting chance at survival. Extending the current sanctuary boundaries and imposing a suspension on these activities until they can be adequately assessed is crucial."

Maui's dolphins, and their South Island relative Hector's, are the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world. Last month, DOC released a new official population estimate revealing there are likely just 55 Maui's over the age of one.[1] The previous official estimate from 2006 was 111 individuals. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

In response to the Maui's decline, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Primary Industries Minister David Carter have proposed added interim protection measures while a full review of the threats is undertaken.

WWF-New Zealand has responded to DOC's proposal for interim extension of the West Coast North Island (WCNI) Marine Mammal Sanctuary, including an extension on the seismic survey regulations within the sanctuary, by urging a more precautionary approach. In a submission, the global conservation organisation argues that the sanctuary boundary must be further extended along the entire coast from Maunganui Bluff (near Dargaville) to Hawera in Taranaki, to cover all harbours and waters out to 100 meters deep.

WWF is also calling on the corridor that links the top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Harewa to be protected, to allow Hector's and Maui's dolphins to connect. New biopsy data reveals that there is evidence of Hector's travelling north to coexist with Maui's. This opens up the possibility of future breeding and replenishment of the dangerously low Maui's population.

This marine corridor is currently totally unprotected, despite evidence the dolphins are found in this area. A Hector's dolphin was reported killed in a commercial set net off the coast of Taranaki in January this year, and subsequently identified by Ministry of Fisheries officials as a Maui's.

"The proposed interim protection measures are inadequate to stop the extinction of the Maui's", said Milena Palka. "For Maui's dolphins to survive, they need complete protection across their entire range. With as few as 55 individuals left, there can be no room for error."

For more information please contact

Rosa Argent, Communications Manager, WWF-New Zealand: +64 4 471 4292, rargent@wwf.org.nz

WWF calls for total ban on set nets in rare dolphins' range

2012-02-24

Wellington, New Zealand - WWF-New Zealand today reiterated calls on the Government to ban set net fishing throughout Hector's and Maui's dolphins' habitat, to prevent more dolphins dying needlessly in nets. The call came as two Hector's dolphins were reported killed by the illegal use of set nets within a sanctuary for the endangered species[1].

WWF-New Zealand's Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird said these latest deaths were a further blow for a species already threatened with extinction: "We can't keep on losing dolphins like this. This latest incident follows the death of a critically endangered Maui's dolphin in a set net, and neither species can sustain this kind of death toll. We are saddened at the news of these two dolphins found dead, it is a grim reminder that dolphins are still dying needlessly in fishing nets."

Fishing with nets is the main reason the numbers of Hector's dolphins have declined so rapidly; the nets entangle the dolphins and cause them to drown. Since the 1970s, their population has plummeted from around 30,000 to just over 7,000 today.

"The Government is launching an inquiry into the illegal use of set nets inside the Banks Peninsula sanctuary, but the fact of the matter is the dolphins remain unprotected in large parts of their range. The Government is clearly struggling to enforce piece-meal regulations – if it is serious about protecting this species, it needs to send a clear signal to fishers by banning nets in our coastal waters."

She said the government's own research shows the dolphins have the best chance of recovery if all human threats to the dolphins' survival are removed: "Current protection falls short of what's needed for the dolphins to recover their numbers, so they are no longer threatened with extinction. This is a wake-up call for the Government – do they want the species to recover or are they willing to preside over their decline?"

"For a species that has lost nearly three-quarters of its population in just three decades, we need to be pulling out all the stops to help them recover. And that means making sure no more dolphins die needlessly in nets," she said.

WWF is campaigning for Hector's and Maui's dolphins to be protected adequately from human threats throughout their natural range to allow their numbers to recover to their pre-1970s abundance.

She said "Globally set nets are recognised as a very wasteful method of fishing, they catch and kill everything in their path. We are encouraging fishers to change to more sustainable methods that don't catch dolphins," said Ms Bird.

WWF advocates for the Government to develop and implement an effective action plan for the recovery of the species that also identifies, manages and mitigates all other threats to Hector's and Maui's to ensure their recovery, such as boat strike, pollution, coastal development sand- mining and exploration for oil and gas.

-ENDS-

For more information contact
Jenny Riches WWF-New Zealand Marketing & Communications Manager, tel: 04 4714288 / 0274477158

Our Far South voyage to highlight pristine ocean under threat

2012-02-09

Wellington, New Zealand - Our Far South, a voyage to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands, will set sail tomorrow (Fri 10 Feb) to highlight the global importance of this last great unspoiled wilderness and the urgent need to protect it from growing human-made threats.

WWF-New Zealand's marine advocate Bob Zuur will be joining scientists and other Antarctic experts for the month-long voyage organised by philanthropist Gareth Morgan, seeking to raise awareness of the area and inspire people to speak out to protect this vital marine ecosystem.

Bob Zuur will blog regularly on the expedition's progress throughout the month-long voyage, and can be followed here. Regular web updates will also appear on WWF New Zealand's website and via Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #ourfarsouth).

Bob Zuur said: "Antarctica's Southern Ocean is famed for its majestic isolation and magnificent wildlife including Emperor penguins, Albatross, Ross Sea Killer whales and colossal squid. It is also of global importance to humanity.

"Antarctica is a critical laboratory for the study of climate change, and in a rapidly warming world it is vital we paid heed to the story it tells."

Far away, so close

The Southern Ocean's Ross Sea, which lies about 3500 km from New Zealand at the edge of the Antarctic continent, is renowned by scientists as one of the most significant remaining large marine ecosystems with its top predators still intact.

WWF will be using the voyage to highlight the growing threats facing this important polar region, which include overfishing, tourism, shipping and climate change. Mining and oil exploration also pose potential future threats to the region.

"This almost pristine marine environment will not stay this way for long unless there is a coordinated international effort to protect it. Current measures are not enough to stem the tide of human activities that threaten this great southern wilderness," said WWF's Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird.

"By creating a network of Southern Ocean marine protected areas we can help fish stocks and other species – from sea bed crabs through krill to giant whales – recover. The Ross Sea shelf, slope and wider region should be designated a marine reserve, and we urge the New Zealand Government to play a central role in international negotiations around Antarctica later this year."

The New Zealand Government is a signatory to the Commission to the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) which will meet in Hobart in October. WWF will be advocating for a strong international commitment to protecting most, if not all, of the Ross Sea.

Maui's death in set net takes species one step closer to extinction

2012-02-01

Auckland, New Zealand - Reports that an endangered Maui's dolphin has been killed in a fishing net off the coast of Taranaki should serve as a wake up call that current protection measures are insufficient and a total ban on set nets is needed throughout their current and historical range to save the species, warns WWF.

WWF-New Zealand's Executive Director Chris Howe says: "This death of a Maui's dolphin is a tragedy for a species that is down to only about 100 individuals. Set nets in Maui's habitat continue to pose an unacceptable risk to these dolphins. Until we get set nets out of the shallow coastal waters where they live, more Maui's will needlessly get entangled and drown. The species could be extinct within our generation without urgent action."

Maui's dolphins, a subspecies of the South Island's Hector's dolphins, are found only off the west coast of the North Island. They are the world's rarest marine dolphin, classified internationally as critically endangered.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) yesterday released a statement saying they believe that the dead animal was a Maui's, not a Hector's dolphin as originally reported, because of the location of its death. The dead dolphin was returned to the sea by the fisher. MAF claimed the death "occurred outside of the current known range of Maui's dolphins, as well as outside the current restrictions."

However there have been independent verified sightings of Maui's dolphins in the coastal waters off Taranaki in recent years, and WWF-New Zealand is urging MAF and the government to extend protection measures throughout the Maui's historical range to give the species the best chance of survival and recovery.

Despite fishing restrictions announced in 2008, Maui's are not currently protected throughout their entire range. WWF is calling on the government to extend protection measures into harbours and the southern extent of their current range, along with better monitoring and policing of regulations.

WWF- New Zealand is urging all members of the public who see a Maui's dolphin – noted for their rounded dorsal fin - to report it to a special sightings hotline, 0800 4 MAUIS. Mr Howe says: "Every sighting of one of these rare and precious dolphins matters. The more we know about where Maui's range and their movements, the better we can protect them.

"WWF will continue to speak out on behalf of all those New Zealanders who want to stop the extinction of Maui's dolphins, and urge the government to extend the current protection measures before it is too late."

Oiled wildlife death toll is 'tip of the iceberg'

2012-01-13

Wellington, New Zealand - The number of oiled wildlife reported dead is a tiny fraction of the true figure killed by the Rena oil spill, WWF-New Zealand said today.

The conservation organisation said that the tragedy should act as a wake up call for Government, yet its recent proposed legislation for New Zealand's offshore environment does little to protect wildlife from future oil spills.

Maritime New Zealand reported yesterday that 45 dead oiled birds have been collected by wildlife recovery teams since the beginning of the week when the stern section of the storm-battered Rena began to sink, releasing more oil and littering the ocean with debris and containers. The current total number of dead wildlife recorded stands at 2066.

"The true number of wildlife killed by the spill will be far greater than the numbers recovered – the corpses the teams are collecting are the tip of the iceberg, and of course the number of animals affected by the spill is greater still," said WWF-New Zealand Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird. "Our main concern remains the long term impacts of the oil spill on the environment. This latest release of oil occurred during a significant storm, so oiled birds would have drowned more quickly and many will disappear from view. The vessel breaking up, discharging more oil and harming more wildlife clearly puts more pressure on an already damaged environment. However if this had happened before the majority of the oil was removed, it would have been an even greater catastrophe," she said.

WWF said wildlife recovery efforts it had observed first-hand, which were led by the National Oiled Wildlife Recovery Team coordinated by Maritime New Zealand are 'world class', and praised the dedication and professionalism of the staff involved.

"The speed with which the wildlife response teams recovered oiled wildlife, and the high standard of expertise from those involved – from local volunteers to wildlife professionals - is world class," said Ms Bird. "The teams out in the field recovering wildlife affected by the spill and those at the recovery centre caring for and restoring the animals to health have worked tirelessly and with sound judgment - you couldn't find a better operation anywhere in the world."

The conservation organisation says the tragedy should be a wake up call for Government, yet proposed legislation governing New Zealand's offshore environment – the Government's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill – will fail to protect wildlife from future spills. WWF-New Zealand Marine Advocate Bob Zuur said:

"At a time when we are counting the cost of the Rena oil spill, the Government's draft legislation for environmental controls in our offshore environment does little to prevent future spills killing more wildlife. It appears that its primary purpose is to smooth the way for the Government's Petroleum Action Plan which aims attract more oil and gas exploration in our oceans," he said. "It will allow petroleum development in areas which are so significant for wildlife they should be never be exploited – the equivalent of allowing mining in national parks."

Currently, the draft legislation does nothing to prevent risky activities such as offshore mining in sensitive areas of the ocean which are home to unique wildlife. WWF is calling for the Government to set aside regions of outstanding biodiversity in marine reserves, or national parks of the sea, separate high risk activities from important vulnerable areas of ocean, and specify mandatory areas to be avoided by shipping such as currently exist around the Three Kings Islands, Poor Knights and in Taranaki.

"The Rena oil spill is a tragedy in itself for the wildlife harmed and killed, the damage to the environment, and the impact on the local community. The Government should shelve plans to open up more of New Zealand's oceans for deep sea oil and gas drilling, at least until it is willing to draft legislation that will protect the vulnerable ocean environment," said Mr Zuur.

WWF is calling on the Government to protect areas important for wildlife, and strengthen the legislation, reducing the risk of spills happening: "Failure to do so would be a kick in the teeth to all those who are working to clean up their beaches and recover wildlife following the Rena spill," said Mr Zuur.

Submissions on the Government's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental
Effects) Bill close on 27 January.

For more information please contact
Jenny Riches, Marketing & Communications Manager 0274 477 158 jriches@wwf.org.nz

Toilet paper brand wipes out forests and endangered species

2011-08-22

Auckland - An investigation released today reveals that Auckland based company Cottonsoft is sourcing its toilet paper from rainforests in Indonesia, home of the critically-endangered Sumatran tiger.

The evidence is the result of an eight-month investigation by Greenpeace, the Green Party and WWF-New Zealand into exactly where the toilet paper sold by New Zealand retailers originates from.

Cottonsoft refused to disclose where they were sourcing their toilet paper from so samples were sent to a US laboratory for forensic testing. This confirmed the presence of mixed tropical hardwoods (timber that comes from rainforests) in a range of Cottonsoft products.

Cottonsoft are a subsidiary of the notorious conglomerate Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), which has been dropped as a supplier by major companies around the world, including Kraft, Nestle, Unilever, Tesco and Carrefour because of their reliance on rainforest destruction to make pulp and paper products.

Greenpeace, the Green Party and WWF-New Zealand are calling on retailers to stop stocking Cottonsoft and other APP Products until the company commits to ending rainforest destruction. They are also asking the public to use their consumer power to force Cottonsoft products off the shelves.

To help consumers find 'rainforest friendly toilet paper' a shoppers' guide was released today.

Indonesia is now the biggest supplier of imported toilet paper pulp to New Zealand, supplying one in four toilets rolls sold in New Zealand.

The destruction of Indonesia's rainforests is one of the main threats to the survival of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, only 400 of which are estimated to remain in the wild. It is also an increasing source of conflict between tigers and humans.

Today Greenpeace New Zealand released shocking footage of a Sumatran tiger that was caught in a trap and later died in an APP logging concession in Riau, Indonesia.

Greenpeace campaigner Nathan Argent said, "Many Kiwis would be shocked to know that by using Cottonsoft toilet paper they could literally be wiping out some of the world's most endangered species."

"We're asking customers to tell retailers to stop selling toilet paper that has come from trashed rainforests."

"The rainforest and its communities are already being destroyed by illegal logging. Trashing rainforests to make toilet paper is simply obscene", said Green Party forestry spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.

WWF-New Zealand's Executive Director Chris Howe said, "Many New Zealanders will want to make sure their shopping choices are not harming forests and wildlife in Indonesia. We encourage people to help ensure the forest homes of endangered tigers and orangutans remain in tact by using the consumer guide to make the right choice at the checkout."

Indonesia has one of the fastest rates of forest destruction in the world. The Indonesian government estimates that more than one million hectares of rainforest are being cleared every year. Rainforest destruction is also acknowledged as a major driver of climate change.

Kiwis want over a third of New Zealand oceans protected

2011-05-26

Wellington, New Zealand - New Colmar Brunton polling has revealed that New Zealanders want more than a third of their oceans protected in marine reserves – a 100-fold increase on current levels.

The research, commissioned and published by WWF-New Zealand today has found more than nine in ten New Zealanders (96%) think more of New Zealand's oceans should be protected in 'no take' marine reserves - areas set aside as off limits for extractive activities such as fishing and mining.

On average New Zealanders stated they want about a third (36%) of the country's oceans protected in marine reserves, 100 times greater than the area currently under protection.

Commenting on the findings of the research, WWF-New Zealand Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird said:

"New Zealand's oceans are home to a globally significant diversity of wildlife and habitats, and WWF is campaigning for a national network of marine reserves to safeguard our unique marine biodiversity.

"The research shows that protection levels for our seas are a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of protection New Zealanders want. Currently marine reserves cover a tiny percentage of our oceans."

"For marine wildlife to be protected and thrive, the government needs to respond to New Zealanders' views and create more reserves that will act as national parks for the sea," said Ms Bird.

Strong public support
New Zealanders' attitudes to marine protection have remained constant over the last few years – polling conducted in 2005 and repeated in 2011 found over nine in ten New Zealanders support more protection of their marine environment in reserves. On average the proportion they feel is right to protect has remained consistent at 36%.

The Colmar Brunton poll also asked respondents to estimate how much of New Zealand's ocean they thought was already protected in marine reserves. On average, New Zealanders estimated 31% of our oceans is protected, yet in reality the figure stands at just 0.3%. By comparison, nearly 20% of New Zealand's land mass is under equivalent protection, such as national parks.

WWF-New Zealand is calling on the Government to reinstate the stalled Marine protected areas process and bring about the marine protection New Zealanders want to see. Despite many years of promises by successive governments, very little progress has been made towards the government's own target of protecting 10% of the marine environment in marine reserves.

"The proportion of our oceans protected in marine reserves is wholly inadequate to safeguard our marine environment and wildlife. New Zealand's oceans are under pressure from commercial and recreational fishing, from pollution, and from new threats such as exploration for oil and gas.

"The research reaffirms that as a nation, New Zealanders value our oceans, and we are conservation-minded people. With a general election looming, the government should seize the opportunity to respect the views of the vast majority of New Zealanders by taking action now to protect our seas." said Ms Bird.

Lights out in Western Pacific as Earth Hour heads for record year

2011-03-26

Lights were turned off in homes, businesses and public buildings in Fiji and New Zealand at 8:30 PM local time as Earth Hour 2011 began. There was widespread endorsement of the message that the world and its environment need commitments for action going "beyond the hour".

By the time the event ends in the Cook Islands, 24hrs after the first light switch was turned off, hundreds of millions of people in thousands of cities, towns and communities in a record 134 countries on all continents are expected to have participated.

In Fiji, lights were turned off but not the television sets as the island nation got set for the face off against Kenya in the all important Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
At Davis Station, Antarctica, the lights will go off - but not the heating - as scientists settle in for a candlelit dinner.

In some countries, the national, regional and especially municipal leaders have taken major roles in organising Earth Hour activities.

In Swaziland, the driving force behind Earth Hour will be 15 year old Nathi Mzileni.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged all to "use 60 minutes of darkness to help the world see the light".

Social Media Hit
Earth Hour has dominated as a topic on social networking channels over recent days with Australian international model Miranda Kerr "hijacking" the Myspace homepage for Earth Hour.

The core Earth Hour accounts have garnered more than half a million Facebook fans and nearly 50,000 followers on Twitter, with many more following country specific accounts supporting the cause.

YouTube also displayed a customised doodle across the site for Earth Hour, while a light switch appearing above each video allows users to darken the YouTube host page.

Show Business & Sport
The world of show business and the world of sport also got behind the event, with leading stars in many countries taking part in Earth Hour events.

Leading sports institutions lending their support included the world's largest football club, Real Madrid, London's Olympic organising body and the European football federation UEFA.

London's 02 Arena joins a host of prominent sporting venues taking part in Earth Hour, including Chicago's Wrigley Fields, and the Water Cube and Birds Nest in Beijing.

"The list of official participants always falls short of the real levels of participation," Earth Hour co-founder and executive director Andy Ridley said from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge soon after the lights faded in the city where Earth Hour was born.

"We always find out after the event that Earth Hour has been observed in countries that have never contacted us, cities we would never have expected and places we haven't heard of.

"We treasure this - it is symbolic of the growing recognition that we all need to act to restore the harmony between humanity and its environment and we all can act."

Celebrations in New Zealand
Wet conditions failed to dampen the enthusiasm for Earth Hour celebrations in New Zealand - although the event was also tinged with sadness as participants recalled the former key role of the city of Christchurch, devastated by an earthquake last month.

In the capital, Wellington's Mayor Celia Wade Brown switched off lights for the Earth Hour event at the Carter Observatory. Speaking at the event, WWF-New Zealand Executive Director Chris Howe emphasized the collective power of the Earth Hour global movement: "When we take small actions as part of a global community, we can make a big difference and create a future where people live in harmony with nature," he said.

In Auckland, the Sky Tower - the tallest free standing structure in the southern hemisphere - switched off lights, Hamilton's Earth Hour revellers braved thunder and lightning to attend Earth Hour 'lights out' events at restaurants and bars, and people in Alexandra enjoyed music by candlelight in Centennial Park.

Beyond the hour activities for Earth Hour have been most comprehensively embraced in Tauranga, a coastal city south of Auckland, with 41 businesses and organisations committing themselves to environmental action, including students planting 1000 trees along the expressway and the Port of Tauranga pledging to cut energy use.

Started in Australia, embraced by the world
Australia's participation in Earth Hour began as the lights dimmed on one of the world's most noted dual landmarks - the coat-hanger and sails combination of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

The cascade of commitments for beyond the hour activities went well beyond Australia's largest city.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard to do all she could to secure a price on carbon to combat climate change causing emissions, to new bikeways and LED lights for parks and streets.
WWF-Australia and partners also introduced Earth Hour Awards for outstanding contributions to the environment; an initiative that may be rolled out around the world for future Earth Hours.
15 year old Parrys Raines convinced her Woollongong school to install water filling stations and provide each student and teacher with a reusable stainless steel drinking bottle to reduce plastic bottle waste.

Sympathy for Japan
The Australian Earth Hour, along with many others, commenced with a minute's silence for the victims of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this month. Earth Hour events in some countries included fund raising to assist earthquake and tsunami victims.

In Japan itself, a small Earth Hour team demonstrated the resilience and resourcefulness shown by the country since the dual disaster by putting their emphasis on promoting 20 ways for Japanese people and businesses to save energy as a practical way to provide assistance to devastated areas.

The lights were turned off out on the Tokyo and Kyoto Towers and the castle and peace memorial in Hiroshima.

"We have had to cancel many of our planned events for Earth Hour," said WWF-Japan CEO Takamasa Higuchi. "What we would like to say is how grateful we are for the many gestures of help offered to our nation in this time of great tragedy."

"Despite the cruel situation a Japanese-Style Inn in the most devastated area has decided to participate in Earth Hour. Many evacuated people who lost their families and homes because of the tsunami are staying in the inn. They do not have electricity, of course, so they cannot switch off but will pray for the victims."

Phillipines claims record for community participation
The League of Cities and League of Municipalities ensured an overwhelming turn-out for Earth Hour in the Philippines by signing up 1661 cities and communities for the event After a minute's silence for Japan and the planet, acoustic performances provided low-carbon entertainment at the switch-off event.

The Department of Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras lit the official candle outside the Mall of Asia at Pasay City followed by the vice president of The Philippine's Climate Change Commission. A long line of government and company representatives, celebrities, regional representatives and students then lit their candles from the official candle and recited their pledges for beyond the hour actions for the environment.

Other pledges flooded in from the municipalities. Makati City announced a ban on plastic shopping bags and plans to promote the use of locally handcrafted bags.

For images and video earthhour.org/media

Interviews:
Contact the Earth Hour Global media team on: Ph +61 404 929 243 or newsdesk@earthhour.org

Birds needing trees, trees needing birds focus of New Zealand forest project

2011-02-18

Wellington, New Zealand: The mutual dependence of a colorful pigeon and some of New Zealand's iconic trees is at the centre of a landmark Year of the Forests project in that country.

A project to help the Kereru bird and native forests thrive once more throughout New Zealand's Wellington region has received new funding from the Nikau Foundation with support from the Willscott Endowment Fund, and WWF-New Zealand in partnership with the Tindall Foundation.

"Kereru are beautiful birds, and their recovery is critical to the survival of New Zealand's unique and special forests," said Marc Slade, Terrestrial Programme Manager at WWF-New Zealand. "Kereru are one of the only surviving mainland native species able to swallow the fruit of some key forest trees, including miro, tawa, rimu and matai. Some of these seeds need to pass through the gut of a bird to germinate, meaning the health of the forests is absolutely dependent on Kereru.

The United Nations has designated 2011 as the International Year of the Forests

Throughout this year, WWF will be running a Living Forests Campaign that will combine cutting edge science, new perspectives from partners and decades of on-the-ground experience to help address the challenge of saving the world's forests.

"In the International Year of the Forests, WWF is getting behind this project because Kereru are the champions of New Zealand forest recovery, they're a keystone species and need looking after," Slade said.

Kick-starting the project

The organisations will invest $10,000 in the Kereru Discovery Project to kick-start a new phase of an existing conservation project that aims to increase populations of the native birds from Kapiti Island through to the Wairarapa. In turn, the growing numbers of Kereru will play a critical role in restoring native forest in the region. Today Kereru numbers are a tiny fraction of what they once were as a result of habitat loss and an associated lack of food, and introduced predators such as possums, ferrets and stoats.

The new phase of the project will launch later this year, and will involve local communities in helping Kereru thrive, calling on people to plant native trees which are food sources for the birds in their backyards, and to volunteer for pest control schemes.

In and around Wellington, New Zealand 98 % of the region was once cloaked in forest - of which only 28 % survives today.

"As a charitable trust that manages donors' money so that their one gift will give in perpetuity, the focus of Nikau Foundation is the Wellington region. We are delighted to be able to contribute, on behalf of our donor the Willscott Fund, to the recovery of Kereru numbers and the ongoing restoration of native forests in our region," said Adrienne Bushell, Nikau Foundation Marketing Manager.

Completing the circle of positive effects, the project's efforts to save native forest will help other native birds flourish, Slade said: "By looking after Kereru we save our forests, and by saving our forests we're protecting the habitat of other native species. It's an example of how everything connects in a cycle of life, and how conservation of species has flow on effects to benefit whole ecosystems," he said.

Another fisheries commission fails the tuna test

2010-12-11

Honolulu, Hawaii: The Commission responsible for managing tuna resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean has yet again failed to take any effective action to reduce the decline of valuable big eye and yellowfin tuna.

The failure, just weeks after the Atlantic tuna commission made only cosmetic cuts to Mediterranean bluefin tuna catch quotas, adding to increasing scepticism that the global system of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) can prevent the unsustainable plunder of the world's oceans.

The week long Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) annual meeting in Hawaii saw strong interventions from Japan and the EU on the urgent need to freeze fishing capacity of purse seine super fleets and fishing pressure on the most stressed tuna stocks, moves that won support from the US and some other powerful fishing states.

But the WCPFC ultimately stuck to the familiar course of throwing overboard the scientific advice, rejecting its own Scientific Committee's recommendation of an immediate 29 per cent reduction in the big eye tuna catch.

"Once again we see the WCPFC failing to hear their own scientific advice and condemning the region's most stressed tuna stocks to another year of overfishing," said Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager with WWF-Australia.

"I have never seen such strong support from the big fishing nations on the need to reduce pressure on big eye and other stressed stocks but this was still not enough to make any real progress on halting the decline of these species."

"absurd" conservation measure for striped marlin

There were some positives to emerge from the meeting, most significantly agreement to develop a shark research plan and introduce greater monitoring and reporting of shark catches. A conservation measure was also adopted for heavily fished Northern Bluefin tuna.

And the Commission agreed to finally go ahead with an independent review of its own performance, a commitment originally made years ago.

"This level of agreement on shark catch has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this year's meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

But the credibility of the WCPFC was further undermined with an absurd conservation measure for overfished striped marlin that according to the Commission's scientific advisor will allow the catch to increase.

"This level of agreement on shark catches has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this years meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

"The WCPFC meeting in Hawaii demonstrated that its most powerful fishing members are ringing the alarm bells of the regions tuna stocks, calling out for urgent action on its most critical issues," Mr Trott said.

"Unfortunately the Commission still lacks the teeth required to meet its responsibilities in terms of conservation and sustainability."

WWF is advocating consideration of new rights- basedmanagement frameworks, cuts to fishing effort from the industrial purse seine sector, care over initiatives that could largely have the effect of displacing rather than reducing fishing effort.

"Most importantly however, the WCPFC should take heed of its contribution to the failures of global fishing regulation and be prepared to set the example in terms of following the scientific advice," Mr Trott said.

For more information: Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager, WWF-Australia, +61 437 960 812, ptrott@wwf.org.au

Singapore and Malaysia asked to close ports to toothfish pirates

2010-11-09

Hobart, Australia: An international request that Malaysia and Singapore take action to ensure their ports are closed to blacklisted fishing vessels which are illegally poaching in Antarctic waters has been applauded by WWF.

According to the 25 nation Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR ) vessels known to illegally fish for toothfish have been returning to Singapore and Malaysian ports after filling their holds with Patagonian toothfish in the southern oceans.

"These poachers have been able to continue harming the Southern Ocean ecosystem because they have been able to find ways to get illegally caught toothfish to market", said Rob Nicoll WWF's Antarctic and Southern Ocean Initiative Manager. "These fishers will continue to cause harm to the Southern Ocean as long as some gaps exist."

The fish are repacked for the Chinese market, sometimes in packaging purporting to mark premium legally caught fish.

Exploiting the Hong Kong loophole

It is believed that some of the toothfish landed in Malaysia and Singapore are coming to Hong Kong, which did not accede to CCAMLR together with the rest of China – meaning there is no obligation to ensure toothfish coming into Hong Kong are not from illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Patagonian toothfish, also known as Chilean sea bass, can fetch up to $20 US dollars per kg landed and the equivalent of $US 75 a kg for fish fillets at the retail level. The fish have long been a favoured target of fishing pirates.

"Unregulated operators are using loopholes in international law to fish outside the framework of CCAMLR, which negatively impacts on legal operators" said Coaltion of Legal Toothfish Operators President, Martin Exel. "We're pleased that CCAMLR has taken such rapid action to alert the governments of Singapore and Malaysia to the IUU operations of these boats."

Governments can close markets to illegally caught toothfish by developing their cooperation with CCAMLR or closing ports to boats, or products from boats, on CCAMLR's IUU blacklist.

WWF is urging governments to sign, ratify and implement the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (FAO Port State Agreement), which sets consistent standards for the use of ports by foreign flagged fishing vessels, catch verification, transshipment guidelines and for the exclusion of blacklisted vessels.

CCAMLR has closed a number of toothfish fisheries in the Southern Ocean due to the impact of illegal fishers – but despite the best efforts of CCAMLR and legal fishers to implement a catch documentation scheme and other measures to eliminate IUU fishing for toothfish it remains a significant problem.

CCAMLR estimates of IUU fishing for toothfish have been revised upwards by 30 to 50 percent, for two of the last four years – with even these numbers still considered as underestimates in some quarters.

wwf.panda.org/media for latest news and media resources

Earth Hour kicks off to great start in Pacific

2010-03-27

Sydney, Australia: Earth Hour's founding city of Sydney, Australia has helped launch the 2010 event with another resounding participation in the now-global call for a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

The event in Sydney was heralded – as usual – with the lights going out on the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House with other major landmarks in State capitals and nearly 150 other communities joining in.

Melbourne had an equivalent double with historic Flinders Street station and modern icon Federation Square going dark, while in Brisbane, the lights went out on the city's Storey Bridge. Beers by candlelight in pubs across the vast country were accompanied by cheering as the lights went out. Events being staged ranged from meditation sessions towards a better world to beach parties.

Earth Hour had got off to a much quieter start in the remote Chatham Islands, close by the International Date Line in the western Pacific, when residents turning off diesel generators became the first of an expected hundreds of millions to turn off lights in a global expression of concern over climate change.

By the time, lights are turned back on in Samoa 26 hours later (due to a kink in the International Date Line), the tiny Chatham island's community of about 600 will have been joined by seven of the world's ten largest cities - Shanghai, Mumbai, Beijing, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Moscow and Dehli.

"Earth Hour provides a global platform for millions of people to voice their concern about the devastating effects of climate change," said WWF Director General James Leape who is on hand to help turning off the lights in Beijing's Forbidden City.

As the event launched, a record 125 countries and territories (up from 88 in 2009) and over 4000 cities, towns and municipalities (1200 more than at the commencement of Earth Hour 2009) had signed up to join the event.
"When Earth Hour started in Sydney in 2007, we never in our wildest dreams imagined it would catch on like this," said Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley.
"The world's citizens know that the time to act is now – the planet can't wait. More and more of the world's people, more and more of the world's businesses and more and more of the world's communities want to take action themselves and want their leaders to keep working on a solution for a better, healthy world."

Sky tower LED light show brackets Earth Hour in Auckland

Auckland's Sky Tower, a consistent Earth Hour supporter, has switched to more energy efficient LED lighting for its upper section since last year's Earth Hour. The 328 metre tower, New Zealand's highest human-made structure, staged a build up to Earth Hour by switching off for incrementally longer periods all this week. The new LED lights signaled the start and finish of Earth Hour with light shows in the Earth Hour colors of green and blue.

Nearly 50 cities, towns and rural districts in New Zealand participated in Earth Hour, with other major landmarks going off including the Beehive and Parliament buildings in Wellington, the Hawkes Bay Opera House and the Giant Kiwi Fruit in Te Puke.

Noted NZ film director and comedian Taika Waitiki said "If we can make a huge change with just one finger flicking a switch imagine what we could do with two fingers...a hand... an arm and a leg....four legs....sixteen arms, three heads and a long tail with a huge spiked ball on the end... just imagine what we could do with a creature like that".

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, now heading the United Nations Development Program, said "In 2008 I launched WWF-New Zealand's first ever Earth Hour in Christchurch. Its message was simple but powerful : that our individual actions may be small, but together we can make a difference.

"Since then I've seen the Earth Hour message grow as increasing numbers of people - in New Zealand and around the world - recognise the importance of personal action in the movement to stop dangerous climate change."

Televisions stay on in Fiji

Lights went out but many televisions stayed on in Fiji, as residents followed the lead of Fijian sevens rugby captain, Emosi Vucago, amongst the first to sign up to Fiji's Earth Hour. Fijians followed their team take part in the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament by candlelight, with the result a resounding 45-7 win against Portugal.

For those not quite so addicted to rugby, there was a concert at the Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva, launching the theme of "Going beyond the Hour". Among those outlining energy saving measures in the longer term were Pacific area US embassies.

Tuvalu tries for carbon free Earth Hour

In Tuvalu, one of the nations most threatened by climate change due to rising sea levels, government and people are trying not just for a light free Earth Hour but for a completely carbon neutral Earth Hour. Power will be cut to the entire island nation, lights and generators on boats in ports across the country will be switched off and car drivers and motorcycle riders will be urged to stay off the roads.

For further information contact:

WWF Global media team

Kirsten Hodgon khodgon@wwf.org.au
Jade Glashoff jglashoff@wwf.org.au

+61 404 929 243 (24h)

Polar bears and penguins 'just tip of climate change iceberg'

2009-04-06

New evidence from the North and South Poles indicates that time is running out for the world's leaders to respond to climate change.

As ministers from Arctic Council and Antarctic Treaty states hold their first ever joint meeting in Washington on April 6 celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, WWF is challenging the ministers to mark the occasion by affirming their commitment to climate change action.

The conservation organisation provided the ministers with compelling recent evidence from both the north and south poles that clearly demonstrates global temperature increases must be kept well under two degrees Celsius.

"A global average temperature rise of 2 degrees is clearly too much for the poles," says Rob Nicoll, Manager of WWF's Antarctic and Southern Oceans Initiative.

"Scientists are already unpleasantly surprised at how quickly the impacts of warming such as sea ice loss are showing up in the polar regions, exceeding recent predictions."

Global average warming due to climate change since the late 1800s is showing severe impacts at less than one degree, as the Arctic is warming at about twice the global average and parts of the Antarctic are also outstripping the global average.

The polar regions themselves have profound and not yet fully understood impacts on climate globally, and there are fears that polar tipping points could trigger abrupt change around the world.

A forthcoming report on Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research is expected to up previous estimates on Antarctica's expected substantial contributions to sea level rises.

Marine food chains of global significance are also under threat from warming in the Antarctic. "Ice shelves the size of small countries are crumbling away and the latest evidence from the Antarctic is showing that the effects of global warming there are increasing in magnitude," said Mr Nicoll.

"The penguins may feel it first, but the rest of us won't be far behind."

The warming of the Antarctic is not yet as acute as the Arctic, but it is yet a further indication that the meltdown of our polar caps continues apace. If world leaders fail to act on this information the effects will be calamitous.

"The world is caught in a polar pincer movement," said Neil Hamilton, Director of WWF International's Arctic Programme.

"What is happening at the poles will control the world's climate. If we do not stop the poles from melting, the whole world will feel it, in the form of runaway warming and rising waters."

Right now the Catlin Arctic Survey expedition is sampling the thickness of Arctic sea ice. The expedition, partly sponsored by WWF, is likely to confirm scientists' fears that the older, thicker ice is disappearing. This has led them to predict that the summer sea ice could disappear within a generation, leading to catastrophic consequences for the entire ecosystem, everything from single celled animals to whales.

"The Ministers meeting today in Washington have a special responsibility to the world," said Mr Hamilton.

"They are the custodians of the poles, and this would be an opportunity for them to show the world that they are ready to step up and shoulder their responsibility to keep the poles frozen, by committing to taking urgent and effective action at the Copenhagen climate meeting this December."

Please note: WWF will hold a briefing for Washington reporters immediately outside the State Department once the ministerial is over. There will also be two teleconference briefings for reporters outside Washington, details of these are on a separate media advisory. Reporters who have not received the advisory can contact the people listed below.

For further information:

Joe Pouliot, Director of Climate and Policy Communications, WWF US
Cell: 202-476-9919
Email: joe.pouliot@wwfus.org

Clive Tesar, Head of Communications, WWF International Arctic Programme
Tel: (+1) 613-232-2535
Mobile: (+1) 613-883-3110
Email: ctesar@wwf.no

Dr. Neil T. M. Hamilton, Director, WWF International Arctic Programme.
Mobile +47 9300 5660
Email: Nhamilton@wwf.no

Rob Nicoll, Manager, WWF Antarctic and Southern Oceans Initiative
Mobile: +61438938764
Email: rnicoll@wwf.org.au

More background is available at panda.org/arctic.

Battered sharks get critical listing

2008-12-05

Rome, Italy: Four commercially valuable shark species have just been recognized as being "of conservation concern" under the international Convention on Migratory Species.

The listing applies to northern hemisphere populations of spiny dogfish, a common ingredient of food staple fish and chips, and global populations of Porbeagle shark and both species of mako shark.

Intense debate saw southern hemisphere populations of spiny dogfish excluded from the listing on the agreement that a comprehensive population review will be conducted for the next meeting of the convention.

"WWF welcomes this listing by the CMS--the first listing by an international conservation convention of commercially utilized shark species," said Dr Susan Lieberman, director of WWF International's Species Programme.

"This shows that the world community now recognizes that sharks are over-fished, declining, and worthy of the kind of conservation concern afforded to other species."

The sharks have been listed under Appendix ll of the convention, which supports co-operation between range states on conservation plans for listed species. For migratory species it focuses attention on the status of the species and can help trigger other regional and international initiatives in fisheries management and trade.

The sharks, which are among the most valued of shark species for both meat and fins, suffer from excessive levels of targeted fishing as well as being bycatch casualties of other fisheries such as purse seining and long-lining for tuna.

The slow growth, late maturity, small litters and long lives of sharks make them vulnerable to over-exploitation. Porbeagle sharks gather together, making them especially easy targets for fishing – a critical factor in the collapse of their populations in the 1970s and continuing failure to demonstrate any lasting recovery.

Listing of all four species across their entire ranges was proposed but the porbeagle shark and the compromise on spiny dogfish were only agreed after intense negotiation.

WWF has also raised concerns over declining populations of Mediterranean bluefin tuna – subject of a recent International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decision to continue fishing at well over scientifically recommended levels – as a species of concern before the migratory species convention.