NZ Marine Studies Centre Hosts Lecture on Endangered Hector's Dolphin Species

By Tessa Mills 

Portobello, New Zealand - The endangered Hector's Dolphin species is found only in New Zealand. The North Island population has recently been described as a separate subspecies because it is so different genetically. This very small dolphin has a very small home range, only about 50 km of coastline. Their behaviour includes a wide range of interesting postures, leaps and lobtails, playing with weed and surfing. The talk will include photos of these and explanations as to what the behaviour might mean. Females first give birth at about 7-9 years of age. The calf is very large compared to the size of the mother, so delivering and raising each calf really takes it out of her. Females give birth every two to three years at best. This relatively low reproductive rate makes the dolphins vulnerable to human impacts, such as entanglement in fishing gear. Some 110-150 dolphins were caught each year during 2000-06 and this is not sustainable.

Sunday 7th June 2009, 3.30 pm

Venue: NZ Marine Studies Centre, Hatchery Road, Portobello

New protection measures were put in place last year by the Minister of Fisheries to protect the dolphins from bycatch in fishing nets. These new regulations are analysed to show how effective they are likely to be. These are currently the subject of a court case, with the fishing industry taking the Minister of Fisheries to court. 

This talk is illustrated with stunning photos and video footage and will end with a discussion about what each of us can do to help save these magnificent creatures.

Dr Liz Slooten is New Zealand's leading authority on the use of population modelling to estimate sustainable levels of marine mammal bycatch in fishing operations. Her teaching and research interests include a wide range of scientific approaches to ensuring that intentional and unintentional impacts on animal populations are sustainable. These include visual and acoustic census techniques, study of survival and movements of identifiable individuals, study of pollutant levels in marine mammals and other animals, effects of tourism on marine mammal behaviour, reproductive biology, population modelling, risk assessment and decision analysis. Dr Slooten represents New Zealand at the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. 

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Enquiries to NZ Marine Studies Centre on (03) 479 5826
www.marine.ac.nz

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