A new study by the University of Auckland has uncovered the astonishing underwater choreography of the world’s smallest marine dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin. However, this remarkable behaviour may also increase their risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear.
Published in 2025 in the journal *Conservation Letters*, the study provides new insights into the full range of dances these dolphins perform beneath the waves. Until now, little was known about their complex underwater behaviours. Researchers have revealed previously unknown acrobatic manoeuvres, deep dives, and innovative feeding strategies that highlight the dolphins’ hidden underwater world.
These stunning behaviours also underscore the significant conservation challenges faced by these endangered dolphins, whose population currently hovers around 15,000 individuals. The study found that Hector’s dolphins regularly use areas that extend beyond existing protected zones. These zones had been established based on limited, and sometimes flawed, data.
Notably, Hector’s dolphins are capable of diving to depths where fishing gear is commonly found. As a result, current protection measures only partially reduce the risk of bycatch — a major threat to their survival.
With this new data, scientists can now better assess the threats to Hector’s dolphins and design more effective conservation strategies. Understanding their complex underwater behaviours is crucial for developing measures that truly safeguard these remarkable creatures.
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