November 2nd 2021: Hector's need you

Did you catch a glimpse of the Hector's dolphins in the surf at St Clair on Thursday? That's actually a pretty rare occurrence. There is a pod that hangs out on the North Coast around Mapoutahi, but they are rarely seen south of Taiaroa Head until you get to the Catlins.

Right now Fisheries New Zealand would like your feedback on fisheries measures to further protect South Island Hector's dolphins. You can go online and complete a quick survey, or lodge your written submission. You can do that right here at the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

Hannah Williams, who is a regular St Clair surfer and marine scientist, told me that they were likely to have been dolphins in transit.

"There are occasionally dolphins seen between these two areas, but these are likely to be ‘wanderers’ from these two populations rather than ‘resident’ pods,” Hannah explains.

Hannah believes the best outcome from the current MPI and New Zealand Fisheries consultation about the Hector’s dolphins in the South Island would be to accept all the new protection measures proposed.

But she warns that the proposed measures are unlikely to go far enough to ensure species recovery.

“Following the suggestions from the International Union for Conservation of Nature: to remove all set net and trawl fishing from the entire range of Hector’s dolphin habitat, would give the species its best chance to recover,” Hannah offers.

One more area of concern to us is that the proposed protections don't extend to consider the recognised ranges of the endangered hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) or nationally vulnerable sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri). We feel that should be added into your submission as a note and there is space to do this within the survey.

For Hannah's full story follow this link.

Submissions close on December 6, 2021, so get in asap so your voice is heard. These are among the rarest dolphins in the world (and the cutest) so imagine if we can help to create a coastal environment where they thrive? Get online and do your bit ...

See you at the beach ... Derek

PS My new book Living the Dream was supposed to go on sale today, but it has been delayed by the dreaded shipping woes – another fallout in our new Covid world. Luckily, the delay isn't too lengthy – books should be arriving early next week. A huge thanks to all of you who have pre-ordered your copies. If you're still waiting you can grab one here. I'll even sign it for you!