The First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas

promise by Queen Victoria surfaced in the early 1990s, when there was growing tension
between the desire on the part of non-Maori New Zealanders to “save” stranded whales
and the Maori claim to the rights to use the animals. <strong>The</strong> “hands off they’re ours” claim
resulted in a protocol coordinated by the Department for the Environment. Animals
stranded alive will be rescued only if feasible. Otherwise, controlled euthanasia will be
considered and carcasses handed over to Maori for utilization (bones).
This case study highlights some of the basics of effective stakeholder management, as
follows (also see www.doc.govt.nz):
• <strong>The</strong> “people side” of issues is often overlooked but it has to be addressed (in
Pacific islands, people and communities own the land, sea, reefs, etc.).
• Due consideration needs to be given to deciding where the most benefits lie in
setting up managed relationships.
• Know and seek to understand stakeholders and their concerns;
• Social science research is often highly relevant.
• Seek to understand the social and economic context, particularly in poor
communities.
• Consider both the barriers to and the incentives for developing relationships;
• Figure out what can be bargained.
• Try to follow the “gifts and gains” principle and focus on what people stand to
gain rather than lose.
• Document the purposes of relationships.
• Develop and maintain systems to support relationships, always based on clarity
and honesty.
• Ensure that everyone understands the state of play, i.e., find a common language.
In summary, it is important to (a) find the most effective approaches and avoid letting
the loudest voices stand out or prevail, (b) always remember to support those who
support you, (c) share information and stick to the truth, (d) provide feedback openly,
promptly, and consistently, and (e) assess the state of your relationships regularly.
Santa Cruz province, Argentina
Miguel Iñíguez
Bycatch of Commerson’s dolphins in fisheries is a longstanding conservation concern in
Argentina. At present, the gears most often involved are coastal gillnets, trammel nets,
and midwater trawls. Between 1999 and 2000, 66 Commerson’s dolphins were found
dead on La Angelina beach and along the shores of Ría Gallegos in the Argentine
province of Santa Cruz. Strandings are most frequent between August and February,
when there is a high degree of overlap between gillnetting and the occurrence of these
dolphins. <strong>The</strong> following process was followed in order to address the situation:
• An assessment concluded that the estimated average annual catch of 179
dolphins was high in relation to the small population of dolphins in the region.
<strong>The</strong> assessment also noted the lack of a legal framework at the provincial level to
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