Scientists have urged New Zealand to take immediate action to protect the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin, amid warnings the marine mammal could become extinct by 2030.
The world’s smallest dolphin sub-species, is only found in waters off the North Island’s west coast and experts estimate the adult population has dwindled to just 55, the US-based Society for Marine Mammalogy (SSM) said. In a letter to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, it said scientific data showed up to five dolphins a year died after becoming entangled in fishing nets, meaning urgent action was needed for it
to survive.