Hector's and Maui's Dolphin TMP: new information

In March 2008 the Ministry of Fisheries notified the availability of two sets of new information that were relevant to the draft Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin Threat Management Plan (TMP), including: 

• A Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin subpopulation risk analysis done by NIWA and the Aquatic Environment Working Group Chairperson’s comments on the analysis, and
• Population survey, sighting, and reported mortality information collated by the Department of Conservation.

NIWA’s risk analysis examined the effect of different management strategies on the abundance of Hector’s dolphin and Maui’s dolphin subpopulations. The Department of Conservation’s information was a collation of material from recent aerial and boat surveys that form part of the Department’s ongoing Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin research programme.

The Department also collated Maui’s dolphin sighting reports and updated the Department’s incident database that records reported Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin mortalities to include recent mortalities.

The Ministry invited comment on both sets of information as they pertained to the draft TMP.

 NIWA’s risk analysis (PDF 2.6MB)
(Please note, this is a very large document and may take time to download)

 Chairperson’s comments on NIWA’s risk analysis (PDF 100KB)

NIWA’s risk analysis is a very technical document but readers should consider it alongside the Chairpersons comments.

If you are unable to access this information via the Internet, please contact Tracey Steel on 04 819 4585 or tracey.steel@fish.govt.nz

The Department of Conservation has collated information from recent aerial and boat surveys that form part of the Department’s ongoing Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin research programme. The Department of Conservation has also collated Maui’s dolphin sighting reports and updated the DOC incident database that records reported Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin mortalities to include recent mortalities. This material can be viewed at:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/dolphinwork 

* The Aquatic Environment Working Group Chairperson is a Science Manager at the Ministry of Fisheries.