2 minute read
Māui Dolphin
By: Gretchen L., Ainsley M., and Laurel R.
Māui dolphins are critically endangered, with only 50 -60 individuals left! These tiny dolphins live off the west coast of New Zealand with little to no protected waters. They eat fish and small squid that can easily be confused with ocean debris. Their main threats are trawling and gill netting.
Trawling is when fishermen drag a large net on the ocean floor. The net has two weighted doors on the bottom to keep the net open and on the seafloor. Because it drags on the bottom it is built to destroy anything and everything in its path, which completely ruins coral reefs and offsets the ecological balance. The net is also fast enough that if a dolphin gets inside they can’t get out.
Gillnetting is when a stable mesh net is set up to catch larger fish. Fish swim into the net, get their heads stuck and aren’t able to get out because their gills get caught in the net. Dolphins and whales can’t see the mesh with echo-location so they swim right into it. When they get their heads stuck they struggle thus entangling themselves more. Unable to reach air, within a matter of minutes they drown.
There is an organization called Mission Blue that is helping the Maui dolphins. Mission Blue creates hope spots all over the world. A hope spot is an area of protected water where animals can live safely. Their goal is to have at least 30% of the ocean protected by 2030. Only 4.8 % of the ocean is protected right now. All of their donations go towards expeditions, expansion of public outreach and the support of their scientific partners..
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
2. Help spread the word
3. Buy seafood products that are MSC certified
MSC stands for Marine Stewardship Council they certify sustainable fishing companies. Sustainable fishing is when fishermen do not use gear that harms marine life such as Trawling and Gillnetting or catch too many fish in one area.
