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Summary
An observer programme with the objective of estimating the rate of entanglement of Hector's dolphins in setnet fisheries in Pegasus Bay and Canterbury Bight was run during the 1997-98 fishing year. Some of the observer effort was directed at the inshore trawl fishery operating in the same area to determine if Hector's dolphins were also being captured in this fishery. A total of 125 days of setnet fishing was observed involving 198 setnet fishing events. A total of 188 days of bottom trawl fishing was observed which represented 422 trawl shots. Five entanglement incidents (events) involving Hector's dolphins were observed in the set net fisheries, three of which involved two animals, for a total of eight animals. Six of these were killed and two were released alive. One event involving a Hecotr's dolphin was observed in the trawl fishery which resulted in the death of the animal. All events involving Hector's dolphins occured near shore in shallow dpeths of less than 30 m.