Cephalorhynchus hectori ssp. maui

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CETARTIODACTYLA	DELPHINIDAE

Scientific Name:

Cephalorhynchus hectori ssp. maui

Species Authority:

Baker, Smith & Pichler, 2002

Common Name/s:

English

–

Maui's Dolphin, North Island Hector's Dolphin

Synonym/s:

Cephalorhynchus hectori (van Beneden, 1881) subspecies (North Island subpopulation)

Taxonomic Notes:

This is a subpopulation of Hector’s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori, recently recognized as a subspecies, C. h. maui (Baker et al. 2002). This subspecies is referred to as the North Island Hector's dolphin or Maui’s dolphin (not Maui’s Hector’s dolphin).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A4cd; C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2000

Assessor/s:

Reeves, R.R., Dawson, S.M., Jefferson, T.A., Karczmarski, L., Laidre, K., O’Corry-Crowe, G., Rojas-Bracho, L., Secchi, E.R., Slooten, E., Smith, B.D., Wang, J.Y. & Zhou, K.

Reviewer/s:

Brownell Jr., R.L. & Cooke, J. (Cetacean Red List Authority)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
The North Island Hector’s dolphin subspecies is considered to be Critically Endangered A4cd and C2a(ii) due to an ongoing and projected decline of greater than 80% over 3 generations (approx. 39 years, Slooten et al. 2000) considering both the past and the future, and there are clearly fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining. For criterion A4cd, the estimated rate of decline over the three generations from 1970 to 2009 is 93% (Slooten 2007; also see Burkhart and Slooten 2003; Martien et al. 1999). Generation length was estimated at 13 years for Hector’s dolphin on the basis of an age-structured model (Slooten et al. 2000). The principal cause of the decline (bycatch in fisheries) has not ceased. The subspecies also meets criterion C2a(ii) for CR, as the single subpopulation contains fewer than 250 mature individuals, and a continuing decline is inferred based on the fact that gillnet use continues in areas occupied (currently and formerly) by the subspecies (e.g., harbours and the southern part of the range) and trawling continues throughout the subspecies’ range. The distribution of the subspecies is highly fragmented and approximately 90% of the individuals are found in a small part of the range – a 22 nautical mile stretch of coastline between ManukauHarbour and Port Waikato, in the centre of the subspecies’ range. There is also evidence for a decline in geographic range, but further information is needed to quantify this threat. The population size is estimated at 111 individuals (95% CI 48-252; Slooten et al. 2005) and the proportion of mature individuals is estimated at 50% (Slooten et al. 2000; Taylor et al. 2007). Given these figures, the subspecies is also very close to meeting criterion D for CR.

History:

2000

–

Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Hector's dolphin (C. hectori) is endemic to New Zealand waters (Dawson and Slooten 1988). The North Island subpopulation (C. h. maui) is currently restricted to the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, between Taranaki and Ninety Mile Beach (Russell 1999; Baker et al. 2002; Slooten et al. 2005, 2006). The range of the subspecies has undergone a marked reduction (Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten et al. 2005). Previous sightings off the east coast of the North Island (e.g., Russell 1999) suggest either that there used to be a much larger contiguous population or that a separate subpopulation on the North Island has already become extinct.
Countries:	Native: New Zealand (North Is.)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – southwest
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Studies of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA show that North Island Hector's dolphins are genetically distinct from any of the South Island subpopulations (Pichler et al. 1998). Every sampled individual (n=11) in the contemporary NorthIsland subpopulation has a single maternal lineage that has not been detected in the South Island (n=97). In addition, these animals have unique microsatellite alleles at three of the ten loci surveyed. A further four loci have alleles that are either fixed or at high frequency, yet are rare in South Island subpopulations. Such differences over such a small geographic scale have not been observed in any other genetic studies of marine mammals (Dawson et al. 2001). For example, two subspecies of Commerson's dolphin show less genetic divergence yet are separated by 8,500 km. The North Island subpopulation also has morphological and coloration differences, and taken together this evidence has allowed it to be recognized as a distinct subspecies (Baker et al. 2002). Recent surveys show that the South Island Hector’s dolphin populations collectively number about 7,270 individuals (CV=15.8%; Dawson et al. 2004), while the NorthIsland population numbers around 111 (CV=44%; Slooten et al. 2006b). The latter’s range appears to have been drastically reduced (Russell 1999; Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten et al. 2005). An age-structured model (Slooten et al. 2000) indicates that approximately 50% of Hector’s dolphins are mature individuals. If about half of the estimated 111 Maui’s dolphins are mature, and half of them are females, it means that only around 28 mature females remain. Population viability analyses using current abundance together with entanglement rates and historical and current fishing effort indicated a high risk of decline, and that gillnet entanglement had caused a decline since 1970 in the North Island subspecies population (Martien et al. 1999; Slooten 2007). Estimated abundance in the late 1990s was around 25% of the 1970 estimate of 437 individuals (Martien et al. 1999), and the most recent estimate of depletion is that about 7% of the 1970 population remains (Slooten 2007).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Studies of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA show that North Island Hector's dolphins are genetically distinct from any of the South Island subpopulations (Pichler et al. 1998). Every sampled individual (n=11) in the contemporary NorthIsland subpopulation has a single maternal lineage that has not been detected in the South Island (n=97). In addition, these animals have unique microsatellite alleles at three of the ten loci surveyed. A further four loci have alleles that are either fixed or at high frequency, yet are rare in South Island subpopulations. Such differences over such a small geographic scale have not been observed in any other genetic studies of marine mammals (Dawson et al. 2001). For example, two subspecies of Commerson's dolphin show less genetic divergence yet are separated by 8,500 km. The North Island subpopulation also has morphological and coloration differences, and taken together this evidence has allowed it to be recognized as a distinct subspecies (Baker et al. 2002).

Recent surveys show that the South Island Hector’s dolphin populations collectively number about 7,270 individuals (CV=15.8%; Dawson et al. 2004), while the NorthIsland population numbers around 111 (CV=44%; Slooten et al. 2006b). The latter’s range appears to have been drastically reduced (Russell 1999; Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten et al. 2005).

An age-structured model (Slooten et al. 2000) indicates that approximately 50% of Hector’s dolphins are mature individuals. If about half of the estimated 111 Maui’s dolphins are mature, and half of them are females, it means that only around 28 mature females remain.

Population viability analyses using current abundance together with entanglement rates and historical and current fishing effort indicated a high risk of decline, and that gillnet entanglement had caused a decline since 1970 in the North Island subspecies population (Martien et al. 1999; Slooten 2007). Estimated abundance in the late 1990s was around 25% of the 1970 estimate of 437 individuals (Martien et al. 1999), and the most recent estimate of depletion is that about 7% of the 1970 population remains (Slooten 2007).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The habits and biology of Hector's dolphins in the South Island have been well studied in the last couple of decades (Dawson 2002) and there has been increasing research effort on Maui’s dolphins also. Maui’s dolphins appear to have similar behaviour and ecology to those belonging to the South Island subspecies. There is little information on the feeding ecology of Maui’s dolphins but it is thought to be broadly similar to that of other Hector's dolphins, which feed opportunistically on several species of small fish and squid (Dawson 2002).
Systems:	Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

The habits and biology of Hector's dolphins in the South Island have been well studied in the last couple of decades (Dawson 2002) and there has been increasing research effort on Maui’s dolphins also. Maui’s dolphins appear to have similar behaviour and ecology to those belonging to the South Island subspecies.

There is little information on the feeding ecology of Maui’s dolphins but it is thought to be broadly similar to that of other Hector's dolphins, which feed opportunistically on several species of small fish and squid (Dawson 2002).

Systems:

Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Like the species as a whole, Maui’s dolphin faces serious pressures from human activities. The main threat is entanglement in gillnets (Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten 2005; Slooten et al. 2006b). Of 14 stranded dolphins in which cause of death could be determined, seven had clear net markings, and an additional four had injuries suggestive of removal from nets (Dawson et al. 2001). Recreational gillnet fishing may be a more serious problem than commercial gillnet fishing, due to the proximity of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Bycatches in trawl nets also have been reported. Additional potential threats include those listed for Hector’s dolphin, i.e. pollution, disease, vessel traffic and habitat modification (Stone and Yoshinaga 2000) although there is no direct evidence that pollution or disease is affecting this subspecies.

Major Threat(s):

Like the species as a whole, Maui’s dolphin faces serious pressures from human activities. The main threat is entanglement in gillnets (Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten 2005; Slooten et al. 2006b). Of 14 stranded dolphins in which cause of death could be determined, seven had clear net markings, and an additional four had injuries suggestive of removal from nets (Dawson et al. 2001). Recreational gillnet fishing may be a more serious problem than commercial gillnet fishing, due to the proximity of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Bycatches in trawl nets also have been reported. Additional potential threats include those listed for Hector’s dolphin, i.e. pollution, disease, vessel traffic and habitat modification (Stone and Yoshinaga 2000) although there is no direct evidence that pollution or disease is affecting this subspecies.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES. The subspecies is restricted to waters of New Zealand; therefore national conservation measures are discussed here. The New Zealand Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits deliberate killing or injury of marine mammals. Bycatch in fishing gear is not illegal but can be regulated. Hector's Dolphins are listed as threatened under New Zealand legislation. The New Zealand Government has created a protected area for C. h. maui where gillnetting is prohibited along 390 km of coastline, but the area does not extend far enough south to cover the range of recent sightings and falls well short of covering the historic range. The latter has clear implications for the prospects of recovery. Gillnetting continues inside harbors, trawling is not restricted, and there are no observer programs to estimate the number of dolphins taken (Slooten et al. 2005, 2006b). Discussions between the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation are currently (early 2008) underway to develop a comprehensive management plan for Hector’s dolphin (including Maui’s dolphin). Species-wide, a continuing high level of bycatch mortality indicates that stronger protection from entanglement in commercial and recreational fisheries is needed. Protected areas, reduced gillnet fishing effort, and changes in fishing methods have been recommended as necessary to ensure the long-term persistence of Maui’s dolphin (e.g. Martien et al. 1999, Burkhart and Slooten 2003, Slooten 2007; DOC and Mfish 2007). Meetings of stakeholders have concluded that fishery mortality must be reduced to zero to allow the subspecies to recover (Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten et al. 2006b). Recent surveys (Dawson et al. 2004, Slooten et al. 2005, 2006a,b) indicate that restricting gillnet fisheries to waters >100m deep would have a major benefit in terms of reducing bycatch. In waters Maui’s dolphin habitat.

Conservation Actions:

The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES.

The subspecies is restricted to waters of New Zealand; therefore national conservation measures are discussed here. The New Zealand Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits deliberate killing or injury of marine mammals. Bycatch in fishing gear is not illegal but can be regulated. Hector's Dolphins are listed as threatened under New Zealand legislation.

The New Zealand Government has created a protected area for C. h. maui where gillnetting is prohibited along 390 km of coastline, but the area does not extend far enough south to cover the range of recent sightings and falls well short of covering the historic range. The latter has clear implications for the prospects of recovery. Gillnetting continues inside harbors, trawling is not restricted, and there are no observer programs to estimate the number of dolphins taken (Slooten et al. 2005, 2006b).

Discussions between the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation are currently (early 2008) underway to develop a comprehensive management plan for Hector’s dolphin (including Maui’s dolphin). Species-wide, a continuing high level of bycatch mortality indicates that stronger protection from entanglement in commercial and recreational fisheries is needed. Protected areas, reduced gillnet fishing effort, and changes in fishing methods have been recommended as necessary to ensure the long-term persistence of Maui’s dolphin (e.g. Martien et al. 1999, Burkhart and Slooten 2003, Slooten 2007; DOC and Mfish 2007). Meetings of stakeholders have concluded that fishery mortality must be reduced to zero to allow the subspecies to recover (Dawson et al. 2001; Slooten et al. 2006b). Recent surveys (Dawson et al. 2004, Slooten et al. 2005, 2006a,b) indicate that restricting gillnet fisheries to waters >100m deep would have a major benefit in terms of reducing bycatch. In waters Maui’s dolphin habitat.

Bibliography [top]

	Baker, A.N., Smith, N.H. and Pichler, F.B. 2002. Geographic variation in Hector's dolphin: recognition of new subspecies of Cephalorhynchus hectori. Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand 32: 713-727. Burkhart, S.M. and Slooten, E. 2003. Population viability analysis for Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori): A stochastic population model for local populations. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: 553-566. Dawson, S.M. 1991. Incidental catch of Hector's dolphins in inshore gillnets. Marine Mammal Science 7(3): 283-295. Dawson, S.M. 2002. Cephalorhynchus dolphins Cephalorhynchus spp. In: W. F. Perrin, B. Wursig and J. G. M. Thewissen (eds.), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, pp. 200-204. Academic Press. Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1988. Hector's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus hectori: Distribution and abundance. Reports of the International Whaling Commission, Special Issue 9:315-324. Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1993. Conservation of Hector's dolphins: The case and process which led to establishment of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 3:207-221. Dawson, S.M., Pichler, F., Slooten, E., Russell, K., and Baker, C.S. 2001. The North Island Hector’s dolphin is vulnerable to extinction. Marine Mammal Science 17: 366-371. Dawson, S.M., Slooten, E., DuFresne, S., Wade, P. and Clement, D. 2004. Small-boat surveys for coastal dolphins: Line-transect surveys for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Fishery Bulletin 201: 441-451. DOC and MFish. 2007. Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin threat management plan. Draft for public consultation. Published by Department of Conservation and Ministry of Fisheries. Available at: www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental. Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Martien, K.K., Taylor, B.L., Slooten, E. and Dawson, S. 1999. A sensitivity analysis to guide research and management for Hector's dolphin. Biological Conservation 90:183-191. Pichler, F., Baker, C.S., Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1998. Geographic isolation of Hector's dolphin populations described by mitochondrial DNA sequences. Conservation Biology 12(3): 676-682. Reeves, R.R., Smith, B.D., Crespo, E.A. and di Sciara, G.N. (compilers) 2003. Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises: 2002-2010 Conservation Action Plan for the World's Cetaceans. IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Russel, K. 1999. The North Island Hector's dolphin. MSc thesis, University of Auckland, New Zealand. Slooten, E. 2007. Conservation management in the face of uncertainty: Effectiveness of four options for managing Hector’s dolphin bycatch. Endangered Species Research 3: 169-179. Slooten, E. and Lad, F. 1991. Population biology and conservation of Hector's dolphin. Canadian Journal of Zoology 69:1701-1707. Slooten, E., Dawson, S.M., Rayment, W.J. and Childerhouse, S.J. 2005. Distribution of Maui’s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori maui. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2005/28, 21p. Published by Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington. Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., and Childerhouse, S. 2006b. A new abundance estimate for Maui’s dolphin: What does it mean for managing this critically endangered species? Biological Conservation 128: 576-581. Slooten, E., Fletcher, D. and Taylor, B.L. 2000. Accounting for uncertainty in risk assessment: Case study of Hector's dolphin mortality due to gillnet entanglement. Conservation Biology. 14:1264-1270. Slooten, E., Rayment, W. and Dawson, S. 2006a. Offshore distribution of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand: Is the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary large enough? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 333-343. Stone, G.S. and Yoshinaga, A. 2000. Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) calf mortalities may indicate new risks from boat traffic and habituation. Pacific Conservation Biology 6(2): 162-171. Taylor, B.L., Chivers, S.J., Larese, J. and Perrin, W. 2007. Generation Length and Percent Mature Estimates for IUCN Assessments of Cetaceans. Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Administrative report LJ-07-01.

Baker, A.N., Smith, N.H. and Pichler, F.B. 2002. Geographic variation in Hector's dolphin: recognition of new subspecies of Cephalorhynchus hectori. Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand 32: 713-727.

Burkhart, S.M. and Slooten, E. 2003. Population viability analysis for Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori): A stochastic population model for local populations. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: 553-566.

Dawson, S.M. 1991. Incidental catch of Hector's dolphins in inshore gillnets. Marine Mammal Science 7(3): 283-295.

Dawson, S.M. 2002. Cephalorhynchus dolphins Cephalorhynchus spp. In: W. F. Perrin, B. Wursig and J. G. M. Thewissen (eds.), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, pp. 200-204. Academic Press.

Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1988. Hector's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus hectori: Distribution and abundance. Reports of the International Whaling Commission, Special Issue 9:315-324.

Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1993. Conservation of Hector's dolphins: The case and process which led to establishment of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 3:207-221.

Dawson, S.M., Pichler, F., Slooten, E., Russell, K., and Baker, C.S. 2001. The North Island Hector’s dolphin is vulnerable to extinction. Marine Mammal Science 17: 366-371.

Dawson, S.M., Slooten, E., DuFresne, S., Wade, P. and Clement, D. 2004. Small-boat surveys for coastal dolphins: Line-transect surveys for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Fishery Bulletin 201: 441-451.

DOC and MFish. 2007. Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin threat management plan. Draft for public consultation. Published by Department of Conservation and Ministry of Fisheries. Available at: www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental.

Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

Martien, K.K., Taylor, B.L., Slooten, E. and Dawson, S. 1999. A sensitivity analysis to guide research and management for Hector's dolphin. Biological Conservation 90:183-191.

Pichler, F., Baker, C.S., Dawson, S.M. and Slooten, E. 1998. Geographic isolation of Hector's dolphin populations described by mitochondrial DNA sequences. Conservation Biology 12(3): 676-682.

Reeves, R.R., Smith, B.D., Crespo, E.A. and di Sciara, G.N. (compilers) 2003. Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises: 2002-2010 Conservation Action Plan for the World's Cetaceans. IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

Russel, K. 1999. The North Island Hector's dolphin. MSc thesis, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Slooten, E. 2007. Conservation management in the face of uncertainty: Effectiveness of four options for managing Hector’s dolphin bycatch. Endangered Species Research 3: 169-179.

Slooten, E. and Lad, F. 1991. Population biology and conservation of Hector's dolphin. Canadian Journal of Zoology 69:1701-1707.

Slooten, E., Dawson, S.M., Rayment, W.J. and Childerhouse, S.J. 2005. Distribution of Maui’s dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori maui. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2005/28, 21p. Published by Ministry of Fisheries, Wellington.

Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., and Childerhouse, S. 2006b. A new abundance estimate for Maui’s dolphin: What does it mean for managing this critically endangered species? Biological Conservation 128: 576-581.

Slooten, E., Fletcher, D. and Taylor, B.L. 2000. Accounting for uncertainty in risk assessment: Case study of Hector's dolphin mortality due to gillnet entanglement. Conservation Biology. 14:1264-1270.

Slooten, E., Rayment, W. and Dawson, S. 2006a. Offshore distribution of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand: Is the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary large enough? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 333-343.

Stone, G.S. and Yoshinaga, A. 2000. Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) calf mortalities may indicate new risks from boat traffic and habituation. Pacific Conservation Biology 6(2): 162-171.

Taylor, B.L., Chivers, S.J., Larese, J. and Perrin, W. 2007. Generation Length and Percent Mature Estimates for IUCN Assessments of Cetaceans. Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Administrative report LJ-07-01.

Citation:	Reeves, R.R., Dawson, S.M., Jefferson, T.A., Karczmarski, L., Laidre, K., O’Corry-Crowe, G., Rojas-Bracho, L., Secchi, E.R., Slooten, E., Smith, B.D., Wang, J.Y. & Zhou, K. 2000. Cephalorhynchus hectori ssp. maui. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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