Hector's Dolphin Protection

Hector's dolphins are a threatened species.

For many years conservation organisation, such as Forest and Bird have campaigned for the government to protect the Hector's dolphin.

The Hector’s dolphin was given ‘threatened species’ status by the Minister of Conservation, Sandra Lee, in December 1999.

Under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, the Minister must improve protection measures for the Hector’s dolphin and see the population gain ‘non-threatened’ status within 20 years from this date.

All dolphins in New Zealand are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). To learn more about it go to DOC dolphin information

Protection for South Island Hector's dolphins...

In 1984 there was an estimated population of 740 Hector’s dolphins off the coast of the South Island between Motunau and Timaru. In 1988 this population had been reduced by about 230 – most of those probably drowned in set nets.

This news shocked the government and the Minister of Conservation in 1988, Helen Clark, declared that there would be a Marine Mammal Sanctuary off the coast of Banks Peninsula.

The sanctuary covers 1170 square kilometres. Within the area it is illegal for commercial fishers to use set nets. Amateur set netting is banned during summer, when the dolphins are breeding. Regulations were also introduced on how and where set nets could be used. For more information about the regulations, contact the Department of Conservation.

The yellow area of the map is the sanctuary. It extends 4 nautical miles out from the shore.

It starts from Sumner Head in the north and finishes at the southern end of the Rakaia River mouth.

This map is from the book 'Down Under Dolphins. The Story of Hector's Dolphin'. By Stephen Dawson and Elisabeth Slooten, 1996.

Protection for North Island Hector's/Maui dolphins...

The North Island population of Hector's dolphin is also known as the Maui dolphin. The total population is around 100-150.

In September 2003 the New Zealand government officially banned commercial set netting in two areas to protect the Maui dolphin and to help save it from becoming extinct.

Area One: from the coast to four nautical miles off the coast (excluding most harbour areas) from Maunganui Bluff (north of Dargaville) to Pariokariwa Point (north of New Plymouth). Recreational set netting is also banned in this area.

The map showing 'Area One: Protection for Maui dolphin' is courtesy of the Department of Conservation.

Area two: in the Manukau Harbour entrance west of Puponga Point (Cornwallis), to a point 0.5 nautical miles north of Kauri Point (eastern end of Big Bay), and then to Kauri Point.

The map showing 'Area Two' is courtesy of the Department of Conservation.