Draft Hector's and Maui's dolphin Threat Management Plan

Consultation closed: 24 October 2007

Led by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation, the draft Threat Management Plan (TMP) seeks to:

• Describe the nature and extent of threats to Hector's and Maui’s dolphins and
• Implement strategies to reduce those threats which are human induced. 

The draft TMP builds on material released in a discussion document in May 2007 and incorporates response to that document including feedback gained during regional forums. This is your opportunity to provide further input to the plan and have your say on the best proposed course of action. 

Cover of the draft plan

Contact:

Dolphin Threat Management Plan
P.O Box 11-146
Wellington 6011

Email: Hectorstmp@biodiversity.co.nz 

The draft Threat Management Plan consists of three key sections:

1. Context – what do we know about New Zealand’s dolphin situation?

• This section also introduces regional threat management proposals that incorporate fishing related options, proposed non-fishing measures, marine mammal sanctuaries, research and monitoring.

2. Initial Position Paper – identification of draft measures to treat fishing related threats.

3. Proposed Marine mammal sanctuaries – identification of important Maui’s and Hector’s dolphin habitat.

Background

Hector’s dolphins are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they are only found in New Zealand’s waters. The species is divided into two subspecies (based on genetic differences), one of which occurs principally in South Island waters (Hector’s dolphin), and the other in the waters of the north-west coast of the North Island (Maui’s dolphin).

The current best abundance estimate for Hector’s dolphin is 7,270 individuals (95% confidence interval of 5,303 - 9,966).  

For Maui’s dolphin, the population estimate is 111 animals (95% confidence interval of 48 - 252).

The Department of Conservation New Zealand Threat Classification System ranks Maui’s dolphin as “nationally critical” and Hector’s dolphin is classified as “nationally endangered”.

Both subspecies have also been classified according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Under the criteria, Hector’s dolphin is listed as “endangered”, such that the best available evidence indicates that this subspecies is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. 

Maui’s dolphin has been classified as “critically endangered”, such that the best available evidence indicates that this subspecies is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Public and government concern over the effect of human induced mortality on Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins has led to the development of a draft Threat Management Plan (TMP) to help protect these species.  

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