The Environmental Law Initiative is taking the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to court over the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan, saying it fails to adequately protect the dolphins from being killed by fishing.  

“Māui and Hector’s dolphins were once the most common dolphins in New Zealand waters until their rapid decline due to fishing-related deaths,” says ELI’s director, research and legal, Dr Matt Hall.

Following a case brought by ELI, the High Court has found systemic failings over two decades with the management and reporting of protected species bycatch in commercial fisheries. 

Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) has consulted on a range of changes to the bycatch reporting requirements for commercial fishers.