A young bottlenose dolphin was recently spotted entangled in fishing gear at the western end of New Zealand's Waitematā Harbour and is currently swimming in the area. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking public assistance to locate the dolphin as quickly as possible.
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02-13, 2025The DOC stated that they are assembling a specialized marine mammal disentanglement team to rescue the dolphin. Department staff have sighted the dolphin in the Riverhead Herald Island area. This entangled juvenile or sub-adult dolphin is traveling with an adult dolphin, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of removing the fishing gear from the younger dolphin.
According to DOC Operations Manager Kirsty Prior, the entangled dolphin was last seen on Monday afternoon near the Huapai Golf Course. Locating the dolphin quickly is crucial. Although DOC staff observed that the dolphin appeared calm at the time, the fishing gear may restrict its movement and diving ability. "Entangled marine mammals face significant risks and require careful planning to ensure the best possible outcome," Prior stated.
The DOC's specialized marine mammal disentanglement team is professionally trained to safely rescue entangled animals using internationally recognized best practices. "In New Zealand, we typically see about one or two of these entanglement events per year," Prior said. "We have the necessary skills, equipment, and experience to deal with it, but locating the animal is the critical first step." While the disentanglement procedures are primarily designed for larger marine mammals such as whales, the DOC will assess and adapt its approach to suit this entangled dolphin.
The DOC team is equipped with specialized tools and follows strict protocols to ensure the safety of both the marine mammal and the rescuers. The DOC urges anyone who sees the entangled dolphin to call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) immediately, providing information about the dolphin's location and behavior. The DOC also cautions vessels not to approach the dolphin or attempt to remove the entanglement, as this could endanger the dolphin and those involved.
