Bottlenose dolphins are an indicator species – their presence provides information about the condition of the marine environment in the Bay of Islands.
DoC is now proposing to alter some of the rules in the sanctuary after a review by DoC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū.
”We always intended to observe, learn and adapt when we created the sanctuary in 2021,” DoC regional director Sue Reed-Thomas said.
“Now we have new science and monitoring data to guide us. This proposal is about refining our approach so our effort is focused where it will make the greatest difference for dolphins.”
The sanctuary rules regulate how humans interact with marine mammals, particularly bottlenose dolphins, to protect them from harmful disturbances.
The current rules are:
Reed-Thomas said recent surveys and scientific studies found dolphins in the sanctuary were rarely present in the two safe zones.
High-use areas are largely outside the safe zones but still within the sanctuary.
This suggests a DoC focus on other management measures will be a more effective way to support the recovery of dolphin populations.
She said the work also concluded that except for commercial operators holding a marine mammal permit, compliance with the sanctuary management measures is mixed, recording high levels of non-compliance with speed restrictions by powered vessels in the two safe zones.
“Removing the safe zones would allow us to focus protection where dolphins actually are – targeting education, compliance and enforcement around the measures that matter most,” Reed-Thomas said.
“This is about smarter protection, informed by science and experience.”
DoC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpu recommended the Minister of Conservation begin a statutory process to propose removing the safe zones, while maintaining the other management measures. The Minister has agreed to initiate the process.
“Together, we can take meaningful steps to ensure these taonga species are protected for generations to come,” Kipa Munro, Chair of Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū, said.
Public consultation runs until March 30 at doc.govt.nz.
