Fewer than 60 Māui dolphins remain as conservationists warn current fishing restrictions won't prevent extinction

The Māui dolphin population stands at fewer than 60 individuals, according to current estimates. Conservation groups argue the set-net and trawl restrictions in place under the Fisheries Act are too narrow to prevent functional extinction of the subspecies, found only on the North Island's west coast. The dispute over adequate protections involves iwi, environmental groups, the fishing industry and successive governments.