The fine nylon nets are not picked up by the dolphins’ echolocation. Once entangled they cannot free themselves and drown within minutes.
Do we know enough?
Some members of the fishing industry claim we need more information about the effects of people’s activities on Maui’s dolphins.
This is not true. After more than 20 years of research, we know much more about Maui’s (and Hector’s) dolphins than most other dolphin species. By the end of 2008, for Hector’s and Maui’s, there were:
- 77 peer reviewed published papers in scientific journals
- 13 Masters theses
- 9 Doctorate theses
- 43 departmental reports
- 8 unpublished papers
- 7 sections in books
We know what the main problem is – entanglement in gill net and trawl fisheries.
We know it’s time for action – fishing using these methods has to stop until we can come up with solutions. Learn more about WWF-New Zealand’s campaign.
On the brink
With only about 111 Maui's left, and with such low reproduction rates, the population cannot sustain more than 1 human-induced death every seven years.
Despite this, since July 2001, 7 dead Maui's dolphins have been found, and 5 of these were confirmed as fishing-related deaths. The fishing industry has to take action – the Maui’s future is in their hands.
Report all sightings
Please report every sighting of a Maui’s dolphin – either online, or by calling our Maui’s hotline: 0800 4 MAUIS (0800 468 247).
