Data obtained by Forest & Bird shows that in 2017, 44 dolphins were caught in purse seine fishing nets in the Bay of Plenty. Over the past 7 years 53 dolphins in total have been caught by commercial fishers. NZ Herald. 15 December 2017.
Tauranga locals are shocked at the revelations that of the 44 dolphins caught in purse seine nets, more than half died during the process to release them. Nine other dolphins were caught in trawl nets.