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1 August 2023 - 31 July 2024

Introduction

This is a summary of reported Hector's and Māui dolphin incidents during the period 1 August 2023 - 31 July 2024.

This year is now closed. 

Summary of the year's incidents:

  • There were 21 Hector's dolphin deaths and one Māui dolphin death reported to DOC during this time period.
  • Bycatch was responsible for 15 of these deaths (all Hector's dolphins from the east coast of the South Island).
  • The remaining dolphins were primarily found beachcast, and one was found floating at sea. 
  • Necropsies were conducted on 16 dolphins.
  • 12 of the dolphins were male, 3 were female, and 7 were unknown. 
  • 14 were adults, 3 were calves, 3 were juveniles or subadults, 2 were unknown.
IDDate observedSexAge classLocationPopn1 Obs typeNecropsy statusPossible cause of deathPathology report

H319

6517

Sep 2023MaleAdultTimaruECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H319 (PDF, 30K)

H320

6518

22 Oct 2023MaleAdultRakaia, ChchECSIBeachcastComplete

Natural causes - disease

H320 final (PDF, 27K)

6524

Nov 2023UnknownAdultOtagoECSIEntanglement - set netNone

Known bycatch in a commercial set net

NA
6523Nov 2023MaleAdultKaikouraECSIEntanglement - set netNone

Known bycatch in a commercial set net

NA

H321

6525

Dec 2023MaleAdultBanks PeninsulaECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H321 (PDF, 25K)

H322

6526

Dec 2023FemaleAdultPegasus BayECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H322 (PDF, 25K)

H323

6527

20 Dec 2023UnknownNeonateKarioitahi, AucklandWCNIBeachcastComplete

Natural causes - other (stillborn)

H323 (PDF, 24K)

H324

6528

Jan 2024MaleAdultTimaruECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H324 (PDF, 25K)

H325

6529

17 Jan 2024MaleJuvenileLyttleton HarbourECSIFloating at seaIncomplete - too decomposed

NA

NA
653018 Dec 2023UnknownAdultFortroseSCSIBeachcastNA - decomposed

Unknown

 

H326

6531

Jan 2024MaleAdultTimaruECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H326 (PDF, 25K)

H327

6532

09 Feb 2024MaleAdultQuail Island, ChristchurchECSIBeachcastComplete

Natural causes - non-infectious disease

H327 (PDF, 27K)

H328

6533

09 Feb 2024MaleSubadultGreymouthWCSIBeachcastComplete

Blunt force trauma - unknown cause

H328 (PDF, 24K)

H329

6534

Feb 2024MaleAdultPegasus BayECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H329 (PDF, 26K)

H330

6535

Feb 2024FemaleAdultPegasus BayECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H330 (PDF, 25K)

H331

6535

Feb 2024FemaleCalfPegasus BayECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H331 (PDF, 27K)
654127 Feb 2024UnknownCalfChristchurchECSIBeachcastNA decomposed

Unknown

NA

H332

6536

Feb 2024MaleAdultTimaruECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H332 (PDF, 21K)

H333

6537

Apr 2024MaleSubadultTimaruECSIEntanglement - set netComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial set net

H333 (PDF, 24K)

H334

6538

Apr 2024MaleAdultTimaruECSIEntanglement - trawlComplete

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

H334 (PDF, 27K)
6539May 2024UnkUnkCloudy BayECSIEntanglement - trawlNone

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

NA
6540May 2024UnkUnkRakaiaECSIEntanglement - trawlNone

Known bycatch in a commercial trawl

NA