Waikato Coastal Database
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North Island Hector's (Maui) dolphin sightings – East Coast

1. Identification information

Status
Complete
Data Collection Date
1870 - present
Summary
North Island Hector's (or Maui) dolphin population is thought to comprise between 75 and 134 individuals. A report reviews sightings of NI Hectors dolphin. Purpose: Review of records of Hector dolphin sightings along the North Island's East Coast.
Content
Records of NI Hectors dolphin along the East Coast of the North Island including date, location, record type, details, observer and reference. Two records are from the Waikato Region. Jan-Feb, 1968-1978 Thames Estuary, sighting, records of F.D. Robson, held by Hans Rook (DoC Napier) and the Museum of New Zealand / Te Papa. Baker (1978). 10 Feb, 1977 Whitianga, sighting, 5?, Baker (1978).
Study Types
  • Inventory/Survey
Categories
  • Marine Mammals

2. Contact information

Commissioning Agencies
  • Department of Conservation
Contact Organisations
  • Department of Conservation

3. Spatial information

Geographic Coverage
East Coast of the North Island
Grid Coordinates
Firth of Thames – (Tararu – E2733116 N6451232, NZMG, 1:20000, area)? Whitianga – E2752078 N6481712, NZMG, 1:20000, Area
Locations
  • Name
    Firth of Thames (Tararu)
    NZMG Easting
    2733113
    NZMG Northing
    6451235
    Location
    Firth of Thames
    East Coast
  • Name
    Whitianga
    NZMG Easting
    2752075
    NZMG Northing
    6481715
    Location
    Whitianga Harbour
    East Coast
  • Name
    Firth of Thames (Tararu)
    NZMG Easting
    0
    NZMG Northing
    0
    Location
    East Coast Inner FoT: Waihou River to Tararu Stream (including Kauranga River and Thames Township)
    East Coast
  • Name
    Whitianga
    NZMG Easting
    0
    NZMG Northing
    0
    Location
    Mercury Bay (including Wharekaho, Buffalo, Maramaratotara and Cooks Beaches)
    East Coast

4. Data acquisition information

Collection Date
records back-date to 1870.
Methodology
summary of data from historical photographs and documents. Frequency of collection: irregular observations

5. Data quality information

Known Limitations
infrequent observations not necessarily reflecting complete movements/ranges of Hector's dolphin. Gaps in collection: only observations from reliable sources are included. Data quality: based on various observers, however these observers are generally thought to be reliable, and/or observations are backed up by photographs. Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: Not reported

6. Distribution information

Format
report, historical photographs and documents Digital Format: MS Word
Applications
Assists in identifying population range, population structure
Availability
? Sensitivity/Confidentiality: ?

7. Status information

Data Status
One off report

8. Metadata information

General Notes
Related Links
Publications
  • Freeman, D. 2003: A review of records of Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) from the East Coast of the North Island, New Zealand. Technical Support Series Number 11, East Coast Hawkes' Bay Conservancy, Department of Conservation, Gisborne.
Related Publications
  • Abel, R.S., Dobbins, A.G. & Brown, T. 1971: Cephalorhynchus hectori subsp. bicolor sightings, capture, captivity. Investigations on Cetacea. G. Pilleri. Berne. 3:171-179.
  • Baker, A.N. 1978: The status of Hector's dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori (Van Beneden) in New Zealand waters. Report of the International Whaling Commission 28:331-334.
  • Baker, A.N., Smith, A.N.H., Pichler, F.B. 2002: Geographical variation in Hector's dolphin: recognition of new subspecies of Cephalorhynchus hectori. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 32(4):713-727.
  • Dawson, S.M. & Slooten, E., 1988: Hector's Dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori: Distribution and abundance. In, Reports of the International Whaling Commission (Special Issue 9): Biolgoy of the Genus Cepalorhynchus. International Whaling Commission, Cambridge.
  • O'Callaghan, T.M., & Baker, C.S., 2002: Summer cetacean community, with particular reference to Bryde's whales, in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. DoC Science Internal Series 55. DoC Wellington.
  • Pichler, F., & Baker, C.S., 2000: Loss of genetic diversity in the endemic Hector's dolphin due to fisheries-related mortality. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 267:97-102.
  • Pichler, F., Baker, C.S., Dawson, S.M. & Slooten, E. 1998: Mitochondrial differences between east and west coast populations of Hector's dolphin. Conservation Biology 12(3):1-8.
  • Russell, K.G., 1999: The North Island Hector's dolphin: a species in need of conservation. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Auckland.
  • Russell, K. 2000: Report on the changes in distribution of North Island Hector's dolphin. In Workshop on North Island Hector's dolphin proceedings. 9-10 May 2000. Wellington.
  • Slooten, E., Dawson, S.M., Pichler, F., & Russel, K. 2000: North Island Hector's Dolphin working paper summarising main research results. In Workshop on North Island Hector's dolphin proceedings. 9-10 May 2000. Wellington.
Related Datasets

9. Related files

No files have been attached to this dataset

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