The Maui's dolphin is the worlds smallest species of dolphin usually reaching a lenth of 1.7 meters which is about 5 feet and 7 inches. Maui's dolphins live only on the west coast of New Zealand. With only 55 living members of the species (compare that to 111 in 2004) the Maui's dolphin is now listed as critically endangered meaning that they could become extinct in the near future, within our lifetime! The coast is supposedly protected from fishing in the areas where Maui's dolphins are found however the Maui's dolphin are commonly entangled or struck by large, anchored fishing nets. This rare species can not afford to be killed from human influence. The areas where the Maui's dolphins live must be protected in order to save their species. Humans do not own the ocean and humans do not live in the ocean. We have to stop invading the ocean and endangering beautiful creatures like the Maui's dolphin. Dr. Barbara Maas, a zoologist at Cambridge University said "Their extinction is really imminent now, within a few years. New Zealand is a civilized country, which markets itself as an unspoiled paradise. They must act before it is too late." Marine mammal species should not be pushed to extinct because of the error of human ways. The New Zealand government should put more harsh fishing bans in place where Maui's dolphins live. The ocean is their home and we are only intruders, people must learn to respect the ocean and marine mammals.
Maui's dolphin via flickr.com cliff1066
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2118304/Worlds-smallest-dolphin-threat-nets-species-reduced-just-55-survivors.html
Dear Audrey,
ReplyDeleteYour post was extremely interesting. I did not know that these dolphins were at such a risk at extinction.
Something I really agreed with was when you wrote, "The areas where the Maui's dolphins live must be protected in order to save their species. Humans do not own the ocean and humans do not live in the ocean." Humans need to be more conscious about who is actually living in the ocean. I think that a lot of corporations do not think about how their actions are hurting others.
" With only 55 living members of the species (compare that to 111 in 2004) the Maui's dolphin is now listed as critically endangered meaning that they could become extinct in the near future, within our lifetime!" This statement was something else that really stood out to me. It is weird how these animals are dying off, and no one knows. Facts like these need to be known by the human population.
I will definitely be coming back to your blog to read more. I learned a lot and found things very interesting.
Thanks!
Dear Audrey,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your blog. The fact that the Maui dophine is so close to extinction is crazy to me. You would think that if people knew about it they would be making greater efforts to proctect these animals.
When you said that there are "only 55 living members of the species" living today I was shocked. The New Zeland government should make a better effort to keep this spieces going especially if they say they are an "unspoiled paradise." I havent ever heard of an animal being so close to extinction.
I stongly agree with you when you said "The fishing industry needs to see that the ocean is not their home and that fishing practices must become sustainable and ecofriendly." Knowing how big the ocean is I'm sure these fishermen can find another area to set up their nets. I feel that if more people became aware of the situation we could actually do something to stop them.
Once again I really enjoyed reading your post. I hope to read more of your blogs in the future.
Dear Audrey,
ReplyDeleteI had no clue about these dolphins. I can't believe that a beautiful creature like this is in such danger to survive. I'm glad you gave a lot of facts about this topic. This was truely a shock to me.
I agree with you when you said, "Marine mammal spiecies should not be pushed to extinction from the error of human ways." That is so true! We should be doing everything in our power to guard and protect these precious animals because we share our planet with them.
Thank you again for writing about such a sad subject. More people need to be aware.
Grace