Bay of Islands marine sanctuary 'desperately needed' to stop declining dolphin population 25 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM 5 minutes to read Boats must stay well clear of dolphins and other marine mammals if a Government proposal for a marine sanctuary in the Bay of Islands goes ahead. Photo / file Boats must stay well clear of dolphins and other marine mammals if a Government proposal for a marine sanctuary in the Bay of Islands goes ahead. Photo / file Jenny Ling is the Northern Advocate's feature writer and news [email protected] The Government's proposed marine mammal sanctuary aims to amend the "radical" decline of dolphins in the Bay of Islands and could be in place as soon as August.