The World’s Rarest Dolphin Is In Danger

The Maui’s dolphin – a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin – is the smallest and rarest marine dolphin in the world. These dolphins, which can only be found in the shallow, coastal waters of New Zealand, are critically endangered.

The plight of the Maui’s dolphin has been well documented for more than a decade, with the population decreasing by more than 90% since 1970. Up to this point, however, the government of New Zealand has been reluctant to act. But international pressure is heating up.

A new report highlights just how desperate the plight of the Maui’s dolphin is. According to new estimates, just 43 to 47 Maui’s dolphins are left, and only about 10 of those are mature females. Researchers suggest the species could be extinct within 15 years unless protection is increased.

One of the main threats to these dolphins is commercial fishing – specifically gill nets and trawling – which kills an estimated five dolphins every year. The New Zealand government has imposed some fishing restrictions, but has shied away from banning gill nets and trawling across the dolphins’ entire habitat – something scientists have been calling for. And last year, New Zealand opened up more than 1,800 square miles of that habitat to oil drilling.

More than 95% of Maui’s dolphin mortality is caused by commercial fishing. Scientists are urging New Zealand to change its stance by placing more importance on biodiversity conservation than fishing interests. Since 2012, the International Whaling Commission has made several strong recommendations on how to protect Maui’s dolphins. And while these have fallen mostly on deaf ears, more recommendations are expected later this month.

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