DOC's work with whales
In 1946 New Zealand was one of the founding members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), established to manage the world's whale resources. In 1982 the IWC voted for a moratorium on commercial whaling and in 1994 established the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Combined with the Indian Ocean Sanctuary established by the IWC in 1979, almost a third of the world's oceans are now a whale sanctuary. All marine mammals within New Zealand's 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone are protected under the 1978 Marine Mammals Protection Act and New Zealand is recognised as a world leader in marine mammal protection.
Stranded whales
New Zealand is also at the forefront of whale rescue work. The Department of Conservation manages whale strandings and rescues. Since 1840 more than 5000 strandings of whales and dolphins have been recorded around the New Zealand coast.
Strandings often involve a lone whale which is dying, but there are also many instances of mass strandings by species like false killer and pilot whales. The reasons for these remain unclear: perhaps the leader is sick or disoriented and the herd simply follows the leader; or a young whale may strand by accident and the rest of the herd try to come to the rescue. It is also thought they may run into problems when the shoreline is gently sloping; sand and mud absorb the sonar signals they use for navigation, giving a false indication of deeper water.
Some whales which strand are successfully returned to the sea with the help of local communities, volunteers and organisations like Project Jonah. The Department consults with local iwi over the recovery of the remains of dead stranded whales for cultural purposes.
Contacts
To report whale or dolphin sightings or strandings phone the DOC HOTline 24 hour emergency number:
0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468)