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Seven Marine Mammal Sanctuaries (MMS) in New Zealand are designed to protect MMS are administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Five of these are designated to protect Hector’s and Māui dolphins, New Zealand’s smallest dolphins and most endangered marine mammals: West Coast North Island, Clifford and Cloudy Bay, Banks Peninsula, Catlins Coast and Te Waewae Bay. The MMS at the Auckland Islands is designed to protect the main breeding area of the New Zealand sea lion and the southern right whale; the Auckland Islands are also designated as a marine reserve. The MMS in the Bay of Islands was recently designated (2021) to provide safe zones for marine mammals from high vessel interaction to encourage natural behaviours. Regulations in MMS are not uniformarine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions) from harmful man-made (anthropogenic) impacts defined in section 22 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1978.m, though approaching marine mammals is prohibited in all areas. Some MMS have regulations for seismic survey activities, where it is the responsibility of surveyors to check the relevant regulations. Some MMS also restrict fishing activities that are particularly problematic, including set-netting, trawling and drift-netting in areas near Hector’s and Māui dolphins. Additional information on restrictions within some of these areas can be found here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/sustainable-fisheries/managing-the-impact-of-fishing-on-protected-species/protecting-hectors-and-maui-dolphins/
Last updated: 7 June 2023
Seven Marine Mammal Sanctuaries (MMS) in New Zealand are designed to protect MMS are administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Five of these are designated to protect Hector’s and Māui dolphins, New Zealand’s smallest dolphins and most endangered marine mammals: West Coast North Island, Clifford and Cloudy Bay, Banks Peninsula, Catlins Coast and Te Waewae Bay. The MMS at the Auckland Islands is designed to protect the main breeding area of the New Zealand sea lion and the southern right whale; the Auckland Islands are also designated as a marine reserve. The MMS in the Bay of Islands was recently designated (2021) to provide safe zones for marine mammals from high vessel interaction to encourage natural behaviours. Regulations in MMS are not uniformarine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions) from harmful man-made (anthropogenic) impacts defined in section 22 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1978.m, though approaching marine mammals is prohibited in all areas. Some MMS have regulations for seismic survey activities, where it is the responsibility of surveyors to check the relevant regulations. Some MMS also restrict fishing activities that are particularly problematic, including set-netting, trawling and drift-netting in areas near Hector’s and Māui dolphins. Additional information on restrictions within some of these areas can be found here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/sustainable-fisheries/managing-the-impact-of-fishing-on-protected-species/protecting-hectors-and-maui-dolphins/
Last updated: 7 June 2023