New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust
New Zealand
| Animals/Wildlife
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The New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust was launched in 1992 by researchers Associate Professors Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson, along with Trust Patron Sir Geoffrey Palmer to foster research and effective conservation of whales and dolphins in New Zealand. We need your help to protect the endangered Hector’s dolphin - including the critically endangered North Island population known as Maui’s dolphin. The Trust is actively involved in research projects. Based on our studies, we actively promote the extension of the boundaries of the Banks Peninsula sanctuary, and the need to create sanctuaries in other areas. Our research on the effects of bycatch has included population surveys around the South Island and off the North Island west coast, to estimate population size. Without an accurate population estimate it is not possible to assess the risks caused by bycatch. We are also actively involved in research on survival, reproductive rate, movements, habitat requirements and risk analyses to assess the effects of bycatch on Hector’s dolphins around the country.
