Endangered Marine Mammals Are Dying in Sanctuaries - and the Law Allows It
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
New data from the 2024–25 fishing year shows 67 marine mammals were killed by commercial fishing vessels inside New Zealand’s marine mammal sanctuaries - areas created under law specifically for their protection.
Species affected include Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, leopard seals and dusky dolphins showing that even our rarest and most vulnerable marine mammals remain at risk inside sanctuaries. The Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary, home to Hector’s dolphins, recorded 18 deaths, while the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary saw 36 deaths - all within one fishing year.
These figures are deeply concerning. Hector’s dolphins reproduce slowly - one calf every 3.4 years - so every death represents a loss that should never have happened.
Shockingly, marine mammal sanctuaries do not automatically restrict fishing.
Under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, protections only take effect if the Minister introduces explicit controls — like set-net bans, trawl exclusions, or vessel speed limits.
We strongly support the Environmental Law Initiative, who have written to Minister of Conservation MP Tama Potaka calling on him to review sanctuary protections, introduce prohibitions where mortalities are occurring, and ensure management aligns with the protective purpose of the law.
You can help - Please email the Minister of Conservation, Hon Tama Potaka, urging immediate action.
Sanctuaries should have the highest tier of protection for marine mammals. If fishing continues unchecked within them, the designation risks being little more than a name. The Minister has the power to act, and we need him to introduce urgent fishing restrictions, setnet bans, and trawl exclusions.
You can email Tama Potaka on t.potaka@ministers.govt.nz
Every message counts - thank you for helping protect marine mammals in the waters around Aotearoa.
