Doubtful Sound bottlenose dolphins

What's the issue?

The bottlenose dolphins found in Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound/Patea form a small resident population living at one of the southernmost locations in the world for this species. 

In 2008, long-term research demonstrated a severe population decline. Abundance was estimated at 56 dolphins, equating to a decrease of a third of the population since 1994. This rate of decline is not sustainable for such a small population.

The causes behind the decline are not well understood but may include human-related effects such as vessel activity and habitat modification. To help minimise the potential impact of vessel activity on the dolphins, a new set of protection measures were introduced in 2008, and are outlined in the Doubtful Sound marine mammal code of management. Although the population has slowly increased since 2008, these measures are still in place.

What's being done?

The Department of Conservation, the Doubtful Sound tourism operators, scientists and other stakeholders worked together to implement additional protection measures. These measures are complementary to the Marine Mammal Protect Regulations (1992), and are aimed at reducing the potential impacts of boats on the dolphins.

An increase in public awareness, education, monitoring and research will complement these measures and hopefully help stop any further declines of dolphins of the Doubtful Sound/Patea region.

In addition to the Marine Mammal Protection Regulations (1992), Dolphin Protection Zones have been established in certain parts of the Doubtful Sound complex and are areas which extend 200m from the shore where motorised vessels are not permitted

View a map of the Doubtful Sound dolphin protection zones, (PDF, 4,085K)

If dolphins are not visible within this zone, entry is permitted by the most direct route for reasons such as viewing of shore features, access to anchorages or diving/fishing spots, or for agency management work. 

Dolphin encounters within Doubtful Sound are now to be left to chance. This means encounters initiated by dolphins are permitted but vessels should not deviate from their intended route for the purpose of encountering dolphins.

The Code of Management forms only one part of the strategy to increase the protection of the Doubtful Sound/Patea bottlenose dolphin population along with monitoring, research, education and increasing public awareness.

How you can help

When visiting the Doubtful Sound/Patea region, please be aware of the additional protection measures and follow the guidelines below.

Dolphin Protection Zones

• Parts of the fiords now have zones 200 metres out from the shore that have restricted access to vessels (see map above).
• If dolphins are not present you can enter these zones to access fishing and diving spots, anchorages and shore features, using the most direct route in and out.
• Do not enter the Dolphin Protection Zones if dolphins are present.
• If dolphins approach whilst you are in the Dolphin Protection Zones and you are stationary, please let them pass before moving off. If you are already moving, stay on the same heading where safe to do so.
• Speed in the Dolphin Protection Zones must be five knots or idle, as required under Maritime Safety Bylaws (2003).

Leave dolphin encounters to chance

• Vessels should not seek out or initiate encounters with dolphins.
• Don’t use the radio to tell others where dolphins are located.
• Give them time on their own and make sure that encounters are left to chance.

Download this information in a brochure: Doubtful Sound bottlenose dolphins (PDF, 517K)