The overall aim of the WWF programme is to protect the future of Maui's dolphins by securing a self-sustaining population that can live in its traditional range and is free of threats from human activity.

So what work is WWF undertaking to get there?
WWF has been actively engaged in the conservation of Maui's dolphins for many years. The current programme is based on three main areas:
working with communities and schools;
supporting research;
and working with government.

Working with communities and schools
Support from local communities is essential if as a nation, we are to safeguard the future of Maui's dolphins. Public awareness and education is vital to inform and motivate communities to take action to protect Maui's dolphin.

WWF works with communities along the North West coast of the North Island to take action to reduce threats to Maui's dolphin and to support government conservation and protection measures.

In order to see this happen WWF works with local communities through public awareness and education programmers. Such efforts include:

• Maui's education programme that visits schools in the Auckland region;
• Providing a guest speaker at community group meetings;
• Information displays at events in Auckland;
• Resources for schools;
• Public awareness information including posters, stickers and fliers.

For further details on the WWF awareness and education programme click here.

Researcher Kirsty Russell. � G de Tazanos-Pinto

Supporting research
There are many things unknown about Maui's, for example population numbers and where they live during winter months. This information is vital to assess whether protection measures are sufficient and to determine if the population is indeed recovering. Research will help us to answer these questions and is crucial to helping discover how best to protect the Maui's dolphin.

Examples of research that WWF currently supports include:

• Auckland University research using genetics to obtain an estimate of population size and alongshore distribution by 2005;
• Studies on distribution of Maui's dolphins to determine how far offshore they go and to assess the overlap between dolphin habitat and current trawl fishing grounds by 2004;
• WWF alongside with researchers has developed a public sightings network. The purpose of the WWF Sightings Network (0800 4 MAUIS) is to learn more about the distribution and behaviour of Maui's dolphins - where they go, how far offshore they move, to what extend they are using west coast harbours and how far north and south they move. Data generated by public reported sightings is a very important tool to help answer those questions. To find out more about the WWF Sightings Network click here.

WWF encourages government to consider sightings information and research findings when making decisions about management of the dolphins.

Working with government
WWF lobbies the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation to manage Maui's dolphin in a manner that will ensure their survival for future generations. Actions that WWF is asking the government to take include:

• regulate fishing to achieve zero by-catch of Maui's dolphin;
• implement a Hector's dolphin recovery plan that addresses threats beyond fishing;
• invest in research that will contribute to improved management of the species.

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