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NZ Dolphin Protection Measures Still Not Adequate
Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins are unique to NZ. Their numbers have been in 
steep decline over the past fifty years, primarily as a result of being killed in nets. They are now classed as endangered.
Following a campaign by NZ and international NGOs (including WDCS) the NZ government implemented a series of dolphin sanctuaries and fishing restrictions in 2008 designed to halt populations declining further.
NZ High Court Decides in Favour of Dolphins
A challenge by commercial fishers to six of the conservation measures implemented by the NZ government has recently been decided. Four of the challenges were rejected and two were referred back to the government for further consideration. This outcome is a major step forward for the conservation of these endangered dolphins
But Even These Measures May Not Be Adequate
In an article appearing in the journal Aquatic Conservation, Associate Professors Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson studied the probable impact of the new measures.
Their detailed analysis shows the new protection measures are a large step in the right direction but dolphin populations will still decline because too many areas have been left out of the protection package or have been compromised in other ways.
(Photo credit: Hectors dolphin and net debris, photographer New Zealand Department of Conservation)
For example on the west coast of the South Island dolphins are protected from entanglement in gillnets out to two nautical miles offshore for three months of the year, but Hectors dolphins there range to six nautical miles offshore, year round.
Similarly, at Kaikoura local fishermen successfully lobbied for an exemption to the dolphin protection measures because they said Hector’s dolphins rarely used deep offshore waters. Professor Slooten noted that "Unfortunately, the line for the exemption zone was drawn far too close to shore and a dolphin has already been caught in the exemption area."
WDCS will continue to work toward the establishment of effective sanctuaries and other measures to halt the decline of these dolphin populations and allow their numbers to build back up to safe levels. We will be attending a strategy meeting of NZ and international NGOs next week to determine our strategy for future protection of these dolphins.
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