The North Island Hector’s dolphin has been classified as a separate sub-species, Maui’s dolphin. This will hopefully strengthen efforts to protect this species — the world’s rarest marine dolphin.

The Minister of Primary Industries announced the measures after public consultations and a lengthy delay, pending a review of the Hectors and Maui’s Dolphin Threat Management Plan later this year.

Dolphins with scars on their dorsal fins, mouth lines and bodies were studied using underwater imagery in order to detect possible interactions with fisheries and fishing gear in the Maui Nui region.

Monitoring the area’s whale and dolphin populations for potential behavior changes, including the cetaceans’ distribution in the waters around Maui. Tracking indicators of fire-related disease ...