The Last Seen: Maui Dolphin Campaign Tawaka Art & Gifts

THE LAST SEEn MAUI DOLPHIN CAMPAIGN

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THE LAST SEEN MAUI DOLPHIN CAMPAIGN

This Campaign was created to raise awareness about the main factors threatening the lives of our critically endangered Māui Dolphins. They're the victims of harmful fishing practices, toxoplasmosis, and pollution. In 1971, there were approximately 2000 Māui Dolphins. Only 54 are left. Their depleting numbers are the result of human activities unfairly impacting their lives, their habitat and their health.

HARMFUL FISHING PRACTICES

A large number of Māui Dolphins die from entanglement in nets. In 2019, Organisations formally requested Trump to ban imports from NZ Fisheries that used harmful practices, driving the Māui Dolphins to extinction. In 2020, the USA threatened to ban $200 million in Fish Exports from NZ because we didn't do enough to protect our Māui Dolphins.

TOXOPLASMOSIS

Toxoplasmosis is a disease from Toxoplasma Parasites found in cats. Parasite eggs attach to cat faeces, stay infectious for a year, and spread into the ocean through the waterways. Māui Dolphins are infected when consuming contaminated water and fish. The disease attacks the immune system and causes miscarriages.

POLLUTION

Organochlorines are in pesticides and building materials, and reach the ocean through coastal run off - they affect dolphins by causing sterility and suppressing their immune systems. Mercury and Cadmium don't break down, and are highly toxic (even at low concentrations). Oil spills and extraction poses a threat to Māui Dolphin. It increases the cancer rates in marine mammals. Plastic debris cuts, wounds and affects dolphins.

how you can help the mAui dolphin

clean

Organise a Beach Clean Up in Areas that Māui Dolphins have been spotted.

Dispose

Dispose of Cat Faeces in the rubbish bin, especially if you live near a water way.

Support

A dollar from every "Last Seen" purchase is donated to the Sea Shepherd Charity.

charity

Volunteer for the Sea Shepherd Charity. They protect marine wildlife.

Donate

Donate to Sea Shepherd NZ to help them clean up and conserve the oceans.

Report

Report sightings to the Department of Conservation at 0800 362 468.

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