University of Otago The History of New Zealand/ Aotearoa Dolphins Cephalorhynchus hectori: Abundance and Distribution Gemma McGrath A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Communication Dunedin, New Zealand July 2020 Abstract Hector’s and Māui dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are endemic dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis documents how C. hectori have changed from being the most common dolphin species seen in New Zealand waters to one of the rarest. The decline of C. hectori has been almost entirely due to bycatch in inshore net fisheries. This collection and analysis of historical information documents and examines observations and the earliest scientific information of C. hectori from the 1800s onwards. Peer reviewed publications, old books and historical media have been accessed, providing general descriptions, information about distribution, habitat use, sightings, strandings, bycatch and pod sizes. Creative components produced as part fulfilment of the MSciComm and documented in this thesis include a music CD, a public awareness campaign and a museum exhibition. Convincing evidence is presented that C. hectori were previously abundant in many places around New Zealand including the wider Cook Strait, Tasman Bay and much of the North Island. Many small subpopulations (hapū) have been removed or reduced to very small population fragments from the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Palliser Bay, Kapiti, Whanganui and Taranaki. Some of these hapū began to be impacted in large numbers from the 1960s onwards. Estuaries, lagoons and rivers were historically much more important foraging areas than they are now. Group sizes used to range in the hundreds and have reduced over time. This important, historical information is critical to a comprehensive analysis of the conservation status of these dolphins. By understanding the patterns of decline, we can know what to expect to see when Hector’s and Māui dolphin hapū are on the path to true recovery. This will require adequate protection from the fishing impacts responsible for their demise. ii Dedication This work is dedicated to the dolphins. This work is also dedicated to my amazing family, whānaunga and friends; thank you for believing in me, and for all your support and encouragement. ‘I aua wa o tatou Hapori tuatahi, kua manahia Pahu a tatou kaihautu, hoa tuturu a hoa kaiawe ano. Kei a Pahu kua rewangia ai to tatou hauora; e io, e whangai ana kai, ma tinana, hinengaro a awenga ano. E Pahu, me ora mau tonu ana koe a o tatou tini akau tai’. ‘Since the time of our first people, Hector’s dolphins have been our trusted pilot, and real-life inspirational friend. It is Hector’s that lift our total well-being; a source, providing nourishment for body, mind and soul. Hector’s, may you forever thrive amidst our myriad of coastal waters’. (Huata Holmes) © G. McGrath, 2020, except as noted. Cover image: Cephalorhynchus hectori (Rob Pine). iii Acknowledgements For all the encouragement and support, thank you to… My family and friends. My son, Tamati Cowie; my phenomenal parents (Pete and Glenda McGrath) and sisters Amber, Pearly and Crystal; Christopher Cleaver; all my whānaunga; McGrafia, Telfer-Thoroughgoods, Andersons, Harveys, Cowies, Piersons and Roberts. Jono More, Rachael Gaston, Jenna Cockeram, Nick Stevens, the Matrix and Mighty Untouchables whanau. Rebecca Taplin, Sonia Rahiti, Graham Coull (Surfie), Jilly McCullough, Dee Wainui, Chanel Brinfield, Frank Ramsay, Kerri-Anne Moore and so many more. My supervisors Nancy Longnecker and Liz Slooten; and also Jean Fleming and Jim Williams. Kaumātua I’m honoured to know, who have shared their kōrerorero and mtauranga with me: Huata Holmes, Ramari Oliphant Stewart, Jim Williams, Davis Apiti. Ngā mihi nui to Lorraine Hawke, Tahua Solomon, Ngaio Te Ua, Muriel Johnstone, the Bull whānau, Takutai and Peter Beech. Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. Colleagues and friends: Christine Rose, Grant Meikle, Karyn Owen, Rob Pine, Amanda Leathers, Michael Lawry, Stew Robertson, John Davis, Anton van Helden, Katrina Goddard, TA Sayers, Mike Bossley, Erich Hoyt, Philippa Brakes and others. Organisations: Māui & Hector’s Dolphin Defenders; Sea Shepherd NZ; Riverton Heritage and Tourist Centre Trust (trading as Te Hikoi); Te Papa Tongarewa, Forest & Bird (in particular Golden Bay, Nelson, Marlborough branches); Tasman Bay Guardians; Department of Conservation, WDC, WWF, NABU and the. Bands, musicians and friends: Sunshine Soundsystem, Shapeshifter, Tiki Taane, Simon Hendl, Antonia Crowley, Paora 'P Digsss' Apera, Kyle ‘KP’ Popham, Staun Popham, Krishna Smith, Daimon Schwalger (The Nomad), Cornerstone Roots, Taos, Pitch Black, The Black Seeds, Minuit, Fur Patrol, Sola Rosa (Andrew ), Sam Carroll, Deano Sheriffs, Mark & Alissia McPherson, Devin Abrams, Laughton Kora, Barnaby Weir, Mike Fabulous, Brian Ruawai, Naomi Tuao, Ardre Foote, Hollie Smith, Lisa Tomlins, Sam Trevethick, Nick Robinson, Dan McGruer, Katrina Tamati (Ladi 6), Pip Hartley, Ben Horton, Ollie Cameron (Oleh), Maaka Rahui, Sarah Crowe, Loop Recordings Aotearoa, Rhythmethod, Totally Wired and all supporting musicians and companies. Communities of Riverton, Colac Bay, Orepuki, Bannockburn, Cromwell, Dunedin and Queenstown. Steve Dawson, Liz Slooten and Barbara Todd. Whalewatch Kaikōura for sponsoring and inspiring my undergraduate journey. Also, University of Otago marine mammal research group, Department of Conservation, NZ Whale & Dolphin Trust, Rochelle Constantine, Barbara Breen, Karen Stockin, Mike Bossley, Erich Hoyt and Philippa Brakes. Te Tai ō Marokura, the best office ever. Whale and dolphins of Kaikōura and Murihiku. Hector’s at Curio Bay for starting the wonder, on a sunset birthday with sisters. iv List of Figures Cover image: C. hectori (Rob Pine). i Figure 1.1: Hector’s dolphin mother and calf, Queen Charlotte Sound. (Rob Pine). 3 Figure 1.2: Map showing current distribution, protection measures and most recent estimates of the four main populations, West Coast North Island; and West, South and East coasts South Island. Newly introduced protection measures announced in 2020 are shown in light green. Population estimates for Hector’s dolphins are from McKenzie & Clement, 2016, rounded to the nearest ten. The years for field data are recorded in brackets. 5 Figure 1.3: Map of mitochondrial control region haplotypes, showing genetic differentiation between and within subpopulations (from Hamner et al. 2012, p. 988). There is a newer unpublished version of this map that shows the genetics of Hector’s present among the Māui population. 10 Figure 1.4: The carved Hector’s dolphin (Pahu) has fins made of pounamu, greenstone and is an exact replica, down to the nicks and marks, of one that washed up during the carving process. 14 Figure 1.5: Top: The common porpoise, known as the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Lower: Harbour porpoise spy hopping, looking very similar to a Hector’s dolphin. Both have smaller and rounded fins compared to other dolphin species. 16 Figure 3.1: Example of scrimshaw art from a ‘porpoise’ jaw. Species unknown. 25 Figure 3.2: Pres qu'ile de banks, Pointe dite Des Charbonniers, Akaroa (Meryon, 1863). Seine fishing, with Hector’s dolphins seen in the foreground. 27 Figure 3.3: Detailed sections showing Hector’s dolphins from the original etching, held at the Art Institute of Chicago (Meryon, 1863). Upper: Hector’s dolphins jumping, possibly an adult and a juvenile. Lower: Other possible dolphin activity at and below the surface can be seen to the right of the jumping dolphins. 27 Figure 3.4: Snares crested penguin (Eudyptes robustus) porpoising through the water (Image: Edin Whitehead). 31 Figure 3.5: James Hector, circa 1868, around the time he started sorting out the classifications and collections of whales and dolphins around New Zealand. 32 Figure 3.6: The first known scientific drawing and description of C. hectori, by James Hector. First published in the Annual of Natural History, 1872, under an early scientific name for Dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus clanculus) (Hector, 1872a; p. 436). 33 Figure 3.7: Typical colouration of Hector’s dolphin seen today. (Photo: Rob Pine). 35 Figure 3.8: Electra clancula, the first scientific name for NZs’ endemic dolphin, proposed by Hector in 1872 (Hector, 1873; Plate 3). 36 Figure 3.9: Early comparison of various NZ dolphin skulls including Electra clancula (Hector’s dolphins); Delphinus forsteri and Clymenia novae zealandiae (Common v dolphins); Tursio metis (Bottlenose) and Clymenia obscura (Dusky dolphins). From Hector, 1877; Plate 6. 37 Figure 3.10: Pilchard seen in vast schools off Otago, (then Clupea sagax, now Sardinops sagax; Mohimohi), commonly known as Herring at the time. (Plate 6, Hector, 1872b). 38 Figure 3.11: Drawing of Electra hectori, based on a dead specimen sent to Dr Finsch and given to van Beneden (1881, Pl. 2.). This specimen is now a skeleton in the Paris Museum. 41 Figure 3.12: Ventral variation in the black and grey markings between the pectoral fins, a modern example from Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough, 2018 (Photo Rob Pine). 42 Figure 3.13: Skeleton of C. hectori captured in 1897, housed in Pisa Charterhouse, Tuscany, Italy. 44 Figure 3.14: News on C. hectori supposedly injuring trout in January 1902. 45 Figure 3.15: Drawing of Hector’s dolphins by Christchurch based Alfred Walsh. 46 Figure 3.16: Otago Daily Times, 31 May 1911. 47 Figure 3.17: Child sitting on a dead Hector’s dolphin, beside a beaked whale, by Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, c. 1905. 49 Figure 3.18: A very big C. hectori, measuring approximately 1.7m long. 50 Figure 3.19: Location where dolphin was caught, near Taingaehe, Wairoa River, Upper Kaipara, Northland. 51 Figure 3.20: Graph showing how different Māui dolphins’ beaks are compared to Hector’s dolphins. 51 Figure 3.21: Stratford Evening Post, 18 January 1915. 52 Figure 3.22: (Greymouth Evening Star, 4 January 1916).