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      1. Hector's and Maui's campaign

How you can help save the dolphins

Take action to help save Maui's and Hector's dolphins

  • Visit the WWF-New Zealand Stop their Extinction website and send an electronic message to the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation, asking them to take the action required to protect the dolphins today.
  • 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 public reported sightings is a 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.
  • 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. Write a letter or send an email to the Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of Conservation. Ask them to strengthen protection measures by:
  1. Strictly enforcing the current ban on set net fishing with sufficient staff allocation.
  2. Implementing 100% observer coverage on trawlers throughout the dolphins’ range. This means that any impact on the dolphins caused by the vessels will be reported.
  3. 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.
  4. Ask the Minister of Conservation to implement a Species Recovery Plan. 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.
  5. Ask the Minister of 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 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 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. It is illegal to harass any marine mammal in New Zealand. If you see a dolphin being harassed, report it straight away to Department of Conservation 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. Stick 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, remove your net from the water immediately, and encourage others to do the same. Fishing gear and other rubbish discarded overboard poses a serious risk to Maui’s dolphins and other marine life. Ensure any rubbish is taken back to shore for safe disposal and that you retrieve ghost nets that you see in the water.
  • Check your regional council has practices in place to deal with marine oil spills and to control dioxin emissions and leaks from mining operations and contaminated landfill sites. They 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 enter storm water drains. Wash your car on grass and take chemicals to a landfill. Prevent motor oils and commercial oils from entering 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.

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