Inadequate Protection
Hector's and Maui's dolphins inhabit coastal waters up to a depth of 100 m (red area on the map). Only a small fraction of the dolphins' home is protected against harmful fishing methods (green). Because of this Hector’s and Maui's dolphins' numbers continue to dwindle away, moving ever closer towards extinction. Government observers witnessed several entangled dolphins in areas that are left unprotected due to forceful industry lobbying, Scientists and conservationists had argued strongly to have these areas fully protected to avoid further deaths, but they remain unprotected to this day. Dolphin deaths witnessed by fisheries observers are only the tip of the iceberg because most casualties simply disappear overboard and are never reported. Absolute protection against commercial and recreational gill-netting and trawling is necessary if extinction is to be averted. This means we must |
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Maui's Dolphin Range versus Maui's Dolphin Protection
This map created by the New Zealand Department of Conservation shows clearly that Maui's dolphins
Please join our campaign to get all Maui's dolphin territory protected. |