New measures that could stop dolphins being caught in fishing nets could be before the New Zealand Parliament within a week.

Green MP Metiria Turei has drafted a private member's bill that would increase protection for the marine animals by requiring a more cautious approach to setting fishing quotas and rules. It could mean tougher requirements for fishing boats to stay away from areas that rare Hector's and Maui's dolphins frequent. It would also give better protection to seabirds including the albatross and petrel species which are often killed through commercial longline fishing and trawl nets.

Last May, the NZ Government announced measures to protect Hector's and Maui's dolphins, including marine mammal sanctuaries and bans on set netting in the coastal waters where the dolphins are most often found. Commercial fishing companies have legally challenged those measures, and an injunction is in place so set net fishing can continue in some areas where the dolphins are found, until the case is heard. The High Court will rule on the new dolphin protections in June.

The Marine Mammals Protection Act Amendment Bill will go into the next Parliamentary ballot for a chance to be debated by MPs.