Dolphin freed from net in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour dies from infection

A bottlenose dolphin entangled in a fishing net in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour has since died from blood poisoning. Photo / DoC

• A bottlenose dolphin freed from a fishing net in Waitematā Harbour died from blood poisoning.
• The dolphin was disentangled by the Department of Conservation on January 8 but was found stranded on January 14.
• DoC emphasised the growing threat of fishing gear entanglement and urged responsible disposal to prevent marine debris.

A bottlenose dolphin freed from a fishing net in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour has died from blood poisoning caused by its injuries.

The juvenile/sub-adult bottlenose dolphin was first spotted in December tangled in the net, leading to fears it was cutting into its dorsal fin.

On January 8, the Department of Conservation (DoC) marine mammal disentanglement team successfully freed it from the net.

But today DoC said it was alerted to a stranded dolphin at Sanders Reserve on January 14.

“She was taken to the Cetacean Ecology Research Group at Massey University for dissection,” DoC said.

“The initial examination showed a thin, weak, young dolphin who appeared to be fighting a serious infection.

“Samples later confirmed that she died from blood poisoning from an infected wound where she was entangled.”

Sad news. ☹ You may remember on 8 January, our teams rescued a bottlenose dolphin who was entangled in a fishing net...

Posted by Department of Conservation on Thursday 30 January 2025

She was given the name Te Ihu Wai Pounamu by Ngāti Whātua following her death.

DoC said entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a growing threat to marine life.

“This is a tragic reminder to minimise floating slack lines when setting fishing gear and to dispose of waste and old gear responsibly to prevent marine debris.”

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