Save #last55 maui dolphins

Fifty-five is not a big number.� But it could mean a world of difference to our very own dolphin species here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

An�estimated�55 Maui Dolphin remain in the world
Maui Dolphin are a subspecies dolphin only found in New Zealand
Entanglement in fishin gear and diseases has seen the decline of the species
#last55 #mauidolphin #tauranga #savedolphin #aotearoa
Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridge, made a decision to allow oil exploration in a marine sanctuary home to the rare Maui�s dolphin

Maui�s dolphin is the world�s rarest and smallest known subspecies of dolphin.� Found only in New Zealand,they typically range close to the coast in small pods although they can also be found around harbour mouths and further offshore.� But their numbers have been decreasing due to entanglement in fishing gear and disease, with approximately 4 to 5 Maui�s killed each year.� Which doesn�t seem like too many, right?

In the 1970s, the dolphin population was reportedly around 1,800 individuals.� But the species has rapidly declined since net-setting and trawling were introduced�in the 1970s.� A 2012 research study estimated that�only 55 Maui�s dolphins now remain.� Suddenly that 4 to 5 death rate seems a lot bigger.� So just since that study was conducted, we are probably already approaching a population size of around 40 animals. Extinction isn�t just a threat � it�s a very real likelihood.

If we are losing 10% of the population each year, you don�t have to be a mathematical genius to know that things aren�t looking good for the Maui�s.� Especially given their slow reproduction rate � females reach maturity at approximately 8 years of age, and only have one calf every 2 � 4 years.

In a recent report, the IWC estimated that Maui�s will decline to just 10 adult breeding females in six years and become functionally extinct in less than 20 years � unless their full range is protected from gillnetting and trawling.

A protest organised by Labour’s Rotorua Candidate Tamati Coffey,�was held today in Tauranga to pressure Simon Bridge, after his decision to allow oil exploration in a marine sanctuary home to the rare Maui’s dolphin.�A petition to “Sack Simon” climbed to more than 23,000 people following the revelation Mr Bridges offered the 3000km sq of the West Coast Marine Mammal Sanctuary for petroleum exploration.

Protesters in Tauranga IMAGE: File