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Dolphin Feature - Hector's Dolphin

© Carma Haley Shoemaker

Found exclusively in New Zealand, Hector's Dolphin is one of the smallest of all species of dolphins. Weighing only 20 pounds at birth, these dolphins will weigh in at 75 to 130 pounds at full adulthood, in comparison to other species who can weigh up to 200 pounds.

The Hector's Dolphin was named after a New Zealand explorer, Sir James Hector. After traveling and exploring Scotland and Canada, Hector traveled to New Zealand where he observed these small ocean wonders. After reporting his discovery to the royal order of New Zealand, the dolphins were named after their discoverer, thus, Hector's Dolphins.

Small and "stocky", the Hector's Dolphin is more rounded than other species. They do not have an elongated snout, and their dorsal fin is more rounded and parallel to the body. In addition, the tail fins are smaller then those of other dolphin species.

As stated previously, the Hector's dolphin lives exclusively in New Zealand, mainly off the shores of the Southern Island. There are a few pods of these dolphins that remain near the shores of the Northern Island, but due to expanding residential sites, most of this species have migrated south.

In addition to their small size, Hector's dolphins have very distinctive markings on their head and chest. Just behind the blowhole, is a crescent shaped marking that is a very visible white on the contrasting dark, gray body. The chest of the Hector's dolphin shows a white "W" shape which runs between the lateral flippers. These marking are exclusive to the Hector's dolphin, and while each Hector's dolphin's marks vary, the pattern remains.

In recent years, the population of the Hector's dolphin has declined to approximately 3,000 to 4,000, down from 10,000 only five years ago. The main contributing factor of the decline is "entrapment fishing", (fishing done by lowering nets into the water and herding the fish). Since the Hector's dolphin eats the same fish that the fishermen are attempting to catch, the dolphins may become caught in the nets, tangle themselves attempting to escape, and die.

Earthtrust of New Zealand has developed a concept that may aid in the dolphins' safety; attaching pingers to the nets to keep dolphins away. In trials off the New Zealand coast, the pinger nets have been successful. The rate of dolphins being caught in nets has decreased by 82%. These trials, in conjunction with educating the fishing industry, have given the Hector's dolphin a chance to increase their numbers once again.

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