Hectors dolphinBy: Alina Choudry

What is a treat to hectors dolphin

-Set net fishing poses a major threat to Hector’s. Like all marine mammals they need to come to the surface regularly to breathe. If they become tangled in set nets, they will hold their breath until they suffocate

-often in bays and harbors, they are at risk of being injured by boats. Newborn dolphins are particularly vulnerable as they swim relatively slowly, close to the surface. Some have been killed by boat propellers, when unwary boating have run them over.

-Other potential threats to their survival include trawling, marine pollution, disease and impacts of tourism and aquaculture.

Information

• Hector dolphins live on shores of New Zealand's north shores

• They eat fish and squid• Sharks and Whales eat them • These dolphins often prefer to travel in small

groups of up to 5 although they can be seen in pods of 20 or more during mating periods.

Scientific information

• Hector’s dolphins are among the world’s smallest marine dolphins. They are found only in the inshore waters of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

• They are the only dolphins in New Zealand with a well rounded black dorsal fin. Their bodies are a distinctive grey, with white and black markings and a short snout.

• Hector’s dolphins are known to live to a maximum of about 20 years.

• Traditionally, Māori watched dolphin movements to predict the weather.

Reproduction-

• reproduction of the hector dolphin Females take part in mating when they are from 7 to 9 years of age. For males it ranges from 5 to 9 years. It takes from 10 to 12 months after mating for the calf to arrive.The young arrive either in the later part of spring or the early summer.

What is WWF doing to help?• Action has been taken to protect the dolphin from fishing by closing

part of the dolphin's range on the West Coast North Island to gillnetting, and by setting an allowable level of fishing-related mortality for part of the East Coast of the South Island. WWF-New Zealand advocates increased protection of the dolphin through government fisheries and conservation decisions, and supports a community and schools awareness program (currently for Maui's; a South Island program is in development). It also carries out research to inform management, including a public sightings network for Maui's dolphin via a dedicated website and toll-free number; aerial surveys for distribution and abundance; genetic research; and brings together organizations which are working to protect Hector's dolphin.WWF's objectives for Hector's dolphin and its subspecies Maui's dolphin are that by 2009, threats have been reduced to a level that allows the species to begin increasing in abundance, extending the range of Maui's dolphin and reducing isolation of Hector's dolphin populations.

IUCN Status-

• The hectors dolphins are endangered which means it is Seriously at risk of extinction.

What can I do to help?

• I could adopt a hectors dolphin on WWF.

• Write a letter or send an email to the Minister for primary industries and the minister of conservation and Ask them to strengthen protection measures

• MOST URGENTLY:Call for a complete gillnet (set net and drift net) ban in waters up to 100 metres deep around the New Zealand coast.

Bibliography

• http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4162/0• http://www.ecomii.com/jeff-corwin/animals/ful

l-list

• http://worldwildlife.org/species/hector-s-dolphin

• http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/hectors-dolphin/facts/

• http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/hectors-dolphin/