- Visit the WWF-New Zealand Stop their Extinction website and send an e-card to your friends and family to let them know that the dolphins need our help.
- If you see a Maui’s dolphin please report details to the WWF Sightings Network - freecall on 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 462 847) or report online. Not much is known about distribution and behaviour of the dolphins. Data generated by sightings reported by the public are very important tool to help answer those questions. The information is used by scientists and helps Government make decisions about where protection measures should be in place. Every sighting is important.
- Adopt a Hector’s and support our work to protect dolphins.
- Call for a complete set net and trawl net ban in waters up to 100 metres deep around the New Zealand coast. Write a letter or send an email to the Minister for Primary Industries and the Minister of Conservation. Ask them to strengthen protection measures by:
- Strictly enforcing the current set net ban by having enough staff available.
- Putting in place 100% observer coverage on trawlers throughout the dolphins’ range. This means that any impact fishing has on the dolphins will be reported, rather than relying on voluntary reporting, which is not accurate.
- Funding more research and monitoring. So much is unknown about the population trends and distribution of Maui’s dolphins, which means current protection measures may not be strong enough. The more we know about the animals, the better they can be protected.
- Ask the Minister of Conservation to implement a plan for dolphin population recovery. Such a plan (similar to those for kiwi, kakapo and other critically endangered species) will set out a comprehensive series of measures to ensure the species recovers to a viable population.
- Ask the Minister for Primary Industries (which includes fisheries) to extend the set net fishing ban to include harbours (Manukau, Kawhia and Raglan especially). Evidence from dolphin sightings shows the dolphins do move around harbours and are at risk from set net fishing in these areas.
- Help WWF-New Zealand to help Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins. Become a regular supporter of WWF-New Zealand and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.
- If you find a stranded or dead dolphin, report it to Department of Conservation (DOC) staff straight away, on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
- Promptly report any set nets or trawlers operating within an area closed to these types of fishing by phoning the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) hotline: 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).
- If you are lucky enough to see Maui’s dolphins in the water, do not attempt to swim with them or feed them. Use a ‘no wake’ boat speed within 300 metres of dolphins. New Zealand law makes it illegal to harass any marine mammal. If you see a dolphin being harassed, report it straight away to DOC staff on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
- In areas where set net fishing is allowed, be careful where and how you use set nets. Stay with your net all the time and check it regularly. Remember it only takes a few minutes to drown a dolphin. If dolphins are around, take your net out of the water immediately, and encourage others to do the same. Fishing gear and other rubbish thrown overboard poses a serious risk to Maui’s dolphins and other marine life. Make sure you take any rubbish back to shore and please retrieve any abandoned 'ghost' nets that you come across.
- Check your regional council (or unitary authority) has practices in place to deal with marine oil spills and to control dioxin emissions and leaks from mining operations and contaminated landfill sites. These leaks and spills can get into coastal waters and can badly affect the dolphins. These councils are also responsible for controlling the impacts of the production, use and disposal of toxic chemicals in your area.
- Ensure that no chemicals or pollutants you use enter storm water drains. Wash your car on grass and take chemicals to a landfill. Prevent motor oils and commercial oils from getting into storm water drains, and eventually the sea, by safely disposing them at your local landfill.
- Make sure your rubbish stays out of storm water drains. Secure lids on bins and pick up any rubbish you see in the gutter or on the beach. Organise beach clean ups and campaign for your local community or school to reduce the rubbish in the streets and playground.
