Trust researchers are making final preparations and packing for a 25 day research expedition to the Auckland Islands to study right whales. The research has three aims: To assess recovery of this population via gaining the best quality population estimate yet. This is done using photo-ID of individual whales (Led by Dr Will Rayment) To […]

Public submissions on the proposed interim protection measures for Maui’s dolphin come out strongly in favour of extending the protected area south to Hawera (about 80km south of the dolphin death in January). In addition, 24,448 public submissions want to see protection extended offshore to the 100m water depth contour, including the harbours, want to […]

The Department of Conservation releases a new population estimate for Maui’s dolphin. This estimate – of only 55 individuals (aged 1 year and older) remaining – is shocking news and puts further emphasis on the need to act immediately to prevent this dolphin going extinct. The researchers, from Department of Conservation and Auckland University, recommend […]

Two dead dolphins are found entangled in a gillnet on Waikuku Beach, just north of Christchurch – another reminder that Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins are still being killed in fishing nets around New Zealand. The number of dolphin deaths in commercial gillnets has apparently been reduced from 35-46 per year to 23 per year off […]