18 Oct 2007

New Zealand concerned over resumption of live dolphin exports from Solomon Islands

12:08 pm on 18 October 2007

The New Zealand government says it's gravely concerned over the resumption of live dolphin exports from Solomon Islands.

Around thirty live dolphins were flown from the Solomons to Dubai yesterday, after a last ditch effort to get a court injunction to stop their export failed.

New Zealand's Conservation Minister, Chris Carter, says locking dolphins in small pens and transporting them by plane over a long distance is incredibly cruel.

And he says he's asked the Solomon Island authorities to consider the impact this will have on the Solomons' dolphin population.

Mr Carter says New Zealand is working with the Australian government to co-ordinate their protest to the live export programme.