In Akaroa Harbour, a popular tourist destination on New Zealand’s South Island, new rules have been introduced to help protect Hector’s dolphins—one of the smallest and rarest dolphin species in the world.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced limits on the number of daily boat trips allowed to view or swim with the dolphins. These new rules are based on research showing that too much vessel activity can disturb the dolphins’ natural behaviour.
Under the new guidelines, no more than 20 trips per day will be allowed during the busy summer season, and only 12 trips per day for the rest of the year. DOC says these limits won’t hurt tourism too much, as they are still close to pre-COVID levels.
Paul Milligan, chief executive of Black Cat Cruises, says his company will now have to cut back about half of its dolphin-swimming trips. “It’s going to limit the ability for us to grow from here,” he said. However, he agrees the dolphins must be protected, calling them “as special to New Zealand as the Kiwi.”
The rules follow years of study, using underwater acoustic equipment to monitor dolphin activity and how it changes when boats are nearby. While the new limits focus on tourism operators, Milligan believes that private boats and the fishing industry may pose a greater threat to the dolphins.
On busy summer days, hundreds of recreational boats can crowd the harbour. Milligan says many of these vessels are not controlled or educated in marine rules, unlike licensed tour operators who follow strict guidelines.
Despite the challenges, both DOC and tourism businesses seem to agree on one thing: protecting Hector’s dolphins is essential for their future.
