The New Zealand Marine Mammals Protection Act has made the deliberate killing or injury of marine mammals illegal (2). Under this act, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has designated a 1170 km² area as a Marine Mammal Sanctuary (5), which will provide protection for the species. Bycatch, although not illegal is possible to regulate (2), and it is clear that measures must be taken to eliminate this threat if this diminutive dolphin is to survive (6).