Hector’s dolphins are found only in New Zealand. The species as a whole numbers fewer than 8,000 individuals. That is down from more than 29,000 in 1970. The decline was caused by dolphins being caught and drowned in gillnets used by commercial and recreational fishers.

North Island Hector’s dolphins, also known as Maui’s dolphins, have been worst affected. With a population size of about 100 individuals they are critically endangered.

This problem can be solved simply and effectively by ensuring that only selective fishing methods are used in areas where Hector’s dolphins are found.

In particular, in waters less than 100m deep:

• Use only fishing methods that don’t catch dolphins
• Replace gillnets and trawling with selective, sustainable fishing methods

New protection measures for Hector's dolphins are due to be implemented on 1 October. These involve banning gillnet and trawl fisheries in some areas where Hector's dolphins are found.

The proposed measures are a major step forward. However, they are not sufficient to allow population recovery and do not yet meet national or international guidelines for marine mammal protection.

Specific ways in which protection could be improved include:

• Protection from gillnetting off Taranaki to allow the North Island Hector’s dolphin (also known as Maui's dolphin) to recover
• Better protection of harbours. The proposed measures provide protection in North Island harbour entrances, but most of the harbour habitat is still open to gillnetting. Likewise, Hector’s dolphins in Banks Peninsula harbours are still exposed to gillnet fisheries
• Extending protection on the west coast South Island to to 6 nautical miles offshore, year-round
• Extending protection at Banks Peninsula area offshore to 15 nautical miles as Hector's dolphins are found well beyond the 4 nautical mile protection boundary in this relatively shallow area
• Increased protection from trawl fisheries
• Observers on all gillnet and trawl fisheries continuing in areas where Hector’s dolphins are found

For more information, please click here

Please send a letter to the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation

Please send your comments on how the protection measures could be improved to:

Jim Anderton, Minister of Fisheries: janderton@ministers.govt.nz

Steve Chadwick, Minister of Conservation: schadwick@ministers.govt.nz

Or post a brief letter to: Steve Chadwick and Jim Anderton, Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries, Parliament Buildings, Wellington (no stamp required)

TXT DOLPHIN TO 8080
Send a txt message with the word "dolphin" to the number 8080 (this costs 20 cents). The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society will forward these messages to the Prime Minister Helen Clark, urging her to put in place effective protection for the dolphins.

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