The NZ Government has just released a new Threat Management Plan to protect their endemic Maui’s and Hector’s dolphin species. The new plan was triggered by scientific evidence indicating that Maui’s dolphin numbers had decreased to an alarming 111 individuals. Hector’s numbers at around 7,200 appear safer from extinction but they are subdivided into three separate and thus vulnerable populations.

This plan is a very important first step. It goes a long way towards halting the continual decline of these coastal dolphins by increasing restrictions on netting and introducing better surveillance systems. A series of dolphin sanctuaries is also proposed to implement these protection measures. However, given their low numbers it is imperative that steps also be implemented as soon as possible to ensure the numbers gradually build back up to their pre exploitation levels.

WDCS congratulates the NZ government for its strong conservation stance. We will continue to work with the NZ government, scientists and other NGOs to assist in the implementation of the TMP and the further development of conservation measures to allow a gradual increase in the population of these dolphins back to estimated levels in the 1970s.

Source: WDCS