Hector's & Maui's Dolphins

New Zealand is home to one of the world’s rarest and smallest marine dolphin – the hector’s dolphin. This tiny animal, measuring just 1.4 metres long is unique to our coasts and hovers dangerously on the brink of extinction.

The last 40 years has seen a rapid decline in their numbers. In the 1970s their population sat at about 29,000. Today, fewer than 8,000 dolphins remain. The even rarer sub-species of hector’s dolphin, the maui’s dolphin, is of greater concern. With an estimated 111 individuals left, time is running out for these animals. It may soon be too late to turn back the clock.

Under pressure

These animals face a number of threats, from boat strike and pollution, to seabed mining. The biggest single known threat however, is set nets and the fishing industry.

Set nets are used to catch fish in coastal waters, and are responsible for over 60% of all known hector’s dolphin deaths. As many deaths go unreported, however, the actual number is likely to be much higher.

Once trapped, these air breathing mammals may tear fins, break teeth and sustain deep cuts to their bodies in their furious attempt to free themselves. Eventually they will run out of oxygen, suffocate and die.

Set nets are indiscriminate in the way that they kill. As well as catching hector’s dolphins, they also catch and kill other species of dolphins, seals, seabirds, and thousands of non-target fish. In many countries the use of set nets are strictly regulated or banned.


Four Hector's dolphins tragically killed in New Zealand set nets

Partial Protection

Following intense lobbying by NGOs including Project Jonah and thousands of New Zealanders, the Government announced in 2008 new measures to protect hector’s and maui’s dolphins. This decision, despite protest by the fishing industry, will help reduce the impact of set net fishing and other activities that threaten this species. Whilst this increase in protection is welcomed, the moves to safeguard these animals don’t go far enough. Many areas remain unprotected, meaning these animals are still exposed to risk.

Where are the danger zones?

Hector's and maui’s dolphins are slow breeders, which puts them at particular risk from human induced mortality.

In the North Island, maui’s dolphins are still unprotected:

• Inside harbours - the new changes will give maui’s dolphins protection at harbour entrances, but not within the harbours themselves. Sightings indicate that maui’s dolphins do move around harbours, so set net fishing in these areas will pose a risk.

• Offshore outside the 7 nautical mile set net ban and particularly the 2-4 nautical mile trawl ban.

• South of Pariokariwa Point - around Taranaki.

In the South Island, hector’s dolphins are at risk:

• Around the top of the South Island (from Farewell Spit to Cape Jackson in the Marlborough Sounds) and in Cook Strait.

• Off the West Coast. There is no trawl ban and recreational set netting is banned out to just 2 nautical miles and commercial set netting is banned only between December 1 and February 28.

• Off Banks Peninsula beyond 4 nautical miles from shore (research shows these animals range out to 20 nautical miles (100m water depth).

• Inside the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary where flounder nets are still used.

Click here to find out what you can do.