New Zealand calls on drones to halt Māui dolphin extinction Environmental News
Wellington, New Zealand – In 2018, a grasshopper skipper mistakenly caught the Māui dolphin spot on a net on the Taranaki coast of the North Island of the New Cross.
The fisherman had a confusion: even though dolphins are among those at risk in New Zealand, if he released the net, he would also violate the country’s Fisheries Act and impose a large fine on him for releasing catches.
He decided to save the dolphin. And in the end, he avoided the fine.
The skipper worked for Sanford, New Zealand’s largest seafood company, accounting for nearly 20% of New Zealand’s fishing quota. As for the company, catching the Māui dolphin is one of the worst things that can happen – it can only cause serious damage (including death) to an employee at sea.