Death of critically-endangered Māui dolphin
Death of critically-endangered Māui dolphin highlights urgent need for more protection
WWF-New Zealand says that today's announcement that a Māui dolphin was found dead near Raglan on Sunday highlights the urgent need for more protection throughout their habitat.
WWF-New Zealand CEO Livia Esterhazy today said: "We are so sad to hear this news. While it's too early to know what happened, with only around 60 adult Māui dolphins remaining, the death of just one is a tragedy."
"We express particular condolences to the local iwi and hapu, as kaitiaki for Māui dolphins. We know that Kiwis love these dolphins. This death pushes an already critically-endangered population closer to extinction. None of us want to see the Māui dolphin become extinct, Not on our watch."
Livia went on to explain:
"Science tells
us that the biggest threat they face right now is from set
nets and conventional trawling, but less than 8% of the
Māui dolphin habitat is protected from both these forms of
fishing."
"We've been working with two fishing
companies: Moana New Zealand and Sanford. They voluntarily
promised to switch to fishing methods that don't kill
dolphins across the Māui dolphin habitat. We applaud this
move towards greater protection for our native species and
the commitment these companies are showing to doing the
right thing."
And the time is right for New Zealanders to
have a say into how we protect them in the future too. Livia
continued:
"At the moment, the government is
building the scientific basis for a plan to protect these
dolphins. Called a Threat Management Plan, we are working
hard to ensure this plan is the best it can be, and creates
the most likely opportunities for the Māui dolphin to
thrive."
"Scientists tell us that it's not too late.
Every New Zealander can play a part in protecting these
precious dolphins. The government needs to hear that New
Zealanders want a future for the Māui dolphin, so please
write to the Prime Minster at wwf.org.nz/priceless if you
agree.
"We have a responsibility to our tamariki, our
mokoponua and to the generations to come to do all we can to
protect these last remaining Māui dolphins and work
together for a result we can all be proud
of."
-ENDS
Notes to
editors
• The Department of Conservation's
announcement of the dolphin's death can be found here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2018/suspected-maui-dolphin-wash-up-north-of-raglan-harbour/
• You
can write to the Prime Minister urging her government to
protect Māui dolphins here: https://www.wwf.org.nz/priceless