Hector’s dolphins at New Brighton Beach - dead and alive
On Saturday 1 February on Christchurch’s new Brighton beach, we rolled out a year’s worth of work from one of our supporters.
A Kaikoura local, Max, was so frustrated by the Government’s suggestion that it is ok to kill 20 Hector’s dolphins a year in Canterbury, among 50 across New Zealand, that he contacted us in November 2023, with the offer to make 20 life size dolphin models, to show what the deaths of 20 dolphins really look like.
Yesterday, we took Max’s vision out into the world. Dolphin Defenders laid out small groups of dolphins - mothers and calves, juveniles and adults, on New Brighton beach, bloodied, and tangled in nets.
Meanwhile, a pod of about seven dolphins played in the surf behind the waves.
Right now, those little live dolphins are at risk of dying as bycatch because trawling is allowed within 2nm of shore, right within their home.
Watch a video of yesterday’s installation here
We spoke to hundreds of people up and down the beach, and know that Hector’s dolphins are really important to Cantabrians.
We need all New Zealanders to be Dolphin Defenders.
Because even though the dolphins we installed on the beach were models made by Max, they sadly and dramatically showed what extinction really looks like.
Everyone should be moved by that.
If you haven’t signed and shared our petition to protect Hector’s from the fishing industry, please do - and if you have, please share it again!
No dolphins should be killed in fishing nets. Call on Christopher Luxon to protect Hector’s throughout their range, today.
And support our work with a donation - we’re a registered charity so donations are tax deductible. Our account details are 38-9012-0678151-00 MAUI’S AND HECTOR’S DOLPHINS EDUCATION/ACTION
Thanks to those of you who have supported us already!
Long live Māui and Hector’s dolphins.
Next stop on the Protect Hector’s roadshow: Timaru, where seven Hector’s dolphins have been killed by the fishing industry in the last 16 months, on top of dozens previously.
Posted: 3 February 2025