Fisheries New Zealand reports second-highest levels of Hector's dolphin bycatch in a decade

From Newsroom: Fisheries New Zealand has released its South Island Hector's Dolphin Bycatch Reduction Plan Report for the fishing year ending in October 2025. The report found that eight dolphins were caught in commercial fishing activity throughout the year, none of which were released alive. Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are listed as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and are the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand. One of the takes listed in the report was observed through video monitoring, but was not reported by the vessel, resulting in a fine. According to Fisheries New Zealand, the elevated levels of dolphin bycatch reported in 2024 (15) and 2025 reflect improved reporting by fishers following the roll-out of onboard cameras on inshore trawl and set net vessels. 

Read more: Cameras on boars reveal second-highest Hector's dolphin bycatch in a decade