Hector’s dolphin

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 12

Hector’s dolphin

Sir, —A questionnaire concerning Hector’s dolphin has been sent to 20 per cent of the ratepayers of Akaroa County by the centre for resource management of Canterbury University. Some weeks ago I attended a meeting held in Akaroa to discuss aspects of the coriservation of this species. The two persons who had carried out a survey of the dolphins over a period of four years said they had carried out but one count during that period. They said they had heard of some dolphins being caught in set nets, and felt they were being thrashed. I would suggest that unless the dolphins are counted each year for four or five years it is impossible to say whether numbers are increasing or not. Until this is known, the questionnaire is completely irrelevant. — Yours, etc.,

D. C. BARRETT, Takamatua. September 26, 1988.

Sir, —The dead seals in the North Sea and sea-lions off California highlight some of the dangers for marine mammals. Right here in Akaroa Harbour, our own Hector’s dolphin is in extreme danger. Summer is coming and recreational -fishermen are getting ready to lay set nets, which trap and drown the dolphins, especially baby ones. The Hector’s dolphin has only one baby in three years, and doesn’t breed until it is eight years old. Since it only lives a maximum of 18 years, it is very easy to see that it doesn’t take many deaths to eliminate the few hundred dolphins now in existence. Anyone who has seen these delightful creatures playing in Banks Peninsula waters will agree that that would be a great pity. It doesn’t have to happen. Press for the establishment of a marine mammal park around that unique and most beautiful piece of New Zealand, Banks Peninsula. Then we shall indeed be able to claim “Akaroa — the home of the Hector’s dolphin.” — Yours, etc., H. R. CONSTABLE. September 24,1988.