The fishing net is cut from the juvenile dolphin. Photo: NZ DoC
A juvenile dolphin found entangled in a fishing net in Auckland waters was safely freed today and is believed to be healing, NZ authorities say.
The entrapped dolphin had been travelling with a fully grown dolphin. It was first reported to NZ Department of Conservation (DoC) staff on December 29, 2024.
DoC operations manager Kirsty Prior said a team was able to locate both dolphins at 12:50 pm on Wednesday, January 8.
“The disentanglement team were able to get a working line with grapnel and floats on the animal,” she said.
“This allowed the team to bring the dolphin close to the boat and work carefully with specialist knives to cut it free by 1:54 pm.”
Prior said the team monitored the area for several hours after that and confirmed the dolphin was free and swam strongly.
“It will now likely take time to heal and rest after before moving out of the area,” she said, asking to public to avoid the mammals.
“We would like to thank everyone who called the hotline, the public were vital in helping our team do their job successfully.”
Maori representative Jocelin Friend was invited onboard the vessel to witness the disentanglement.
“Te Wai Roa ō Kahu (Auckland’s Upper Harbour) and Rangitopuni awa (river) are our ancestral waterways. Our duty as kaitiaki (guardian) is to ensure our taonga (treasured) species are treated with utmost care,” she said.
“I was impressed with how the team worked together swiftly, carefully and in respect of tikanga (law) Maori to safely free the dolphin.”
The department said the trapped dolphin was first spotted in Western Waitemata Harbour and believes the net may have limited the entangled dolphin’s movement and ability to dive.
DOC is urging fishers and boaties to minimise floating slack lines when setting fishing gear and to dispose of waste and old gear responsibly to prevent marine debris.
The department has a specialist marine mammal disentanglement team trained to safely free entangled animals using internationally recognised best practices.
“Entanglements like this happen one to two times a year around New Zealand,” said Prior.
“We have the skills, equipment, and experience to respond, when necessary, but locating the animal is the first crucial step.”
