Posts Tagged ‘NZ dolphin’
Extinction emergency – we need action right now to save New Zealand dolphins
Every year on 8 June we celebrate World Oceans Day – a day when we’re encouraged to think about the oceans and the impact that we humans are having on the marine environment and the creatures who live there. I don’t think the health of the oceans has ever been higher in the public consciousness.…
Read MoreWhat’s up with all these New Zealand dolphin deaths?
Gemma McGrath is WDC’s campaigner in New Zealand and in this blog she explores the lessons we need to take from the recent spate of Hector’s and Māui dolphin deaths in fishing nets and why the government’s response is utterly lacking. With all the recent Hector’s dolphin deaths in trawl nets, an alarming seven this…
Read MoreHow many New Zealand dolphins should there be and how high should we be setting our conservation goals?
Māui and Hector’s dolphins (collectively known as New Zealand dolphins) are hurtling towards extinction because fishing nets are killing them at an unsustainable rate. WDC is campaigning to save them and I’ve been wondering – if we are successful, how many dolphins should there be? How high should we be setting our sights for their recovery?…
Read MoreNew Zealand government to undertake net review after dolphin deaths
The government in New Zealand is reviewing the use of commercial set nets (a type of gillnet that is attached to the seabed) after the deaths of five Hector’s dolphins in one net in February. The incident took place off the Banks Peninsula off the east coast of the South Island. A complete ban on…
Read MoreDolphins in New Zealand listed on US Endangered Species Act
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has agreed to list the Maui Dolphin as Endangered and the South Island Hector’s dolphin as Threatened on the US Endangered Species Act on October 19th. Consultation on the proposal took place last year and WDC was one of the organizations that wrote in support while at the…
Read MoreInvestigation into New Zealand dolphin deaths
An investigation has been launched after two endangered New Zealand dolphins (also known as Hector’s dolphins) were found in different locations on the country’s South Island. Under New Zealand law, anyone who injures or kills a marine mammal must report the incident to the authorities. Failure to do so can result in large fines. The investigation…
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