Shapiro
Several Hector's Dolphins swimming
Courtesy of Arkive
The smallest dolphin in the world is going extinct due to multiple facts like bycatch, climate change and the loss of genetic diversity. However is it really worth trying to save this adorable animal? When considering whether or not to save a species on its way to extinction it's important to realize that all animals on our planet on earth play a key role in our ecosystem and economy as a whole. Hector’s dolphins are not exempted from this statement, and are vital to the New Zealand economy, not excluding the cultural importance to the aboriginal people there, as well as keeping the New Zealand ecosystem and food web in check. These traits are important to have for a healthy and happy ecosystem and overall society.
In New Zealand, where Hector’s dolphins are only located, ecotourism plays an important role in the economy. 7.5 % of the population being directly employed, which means that about 188,136 people now have jobs directly or indirectly from these funsized dolphins (Tourism New Zealand,2017). When Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is concerned, tourism directly adds 12.9 billion dollars, and indirectly adds 9.8 billion, resulting in 5.6%, as well as, 4.3% of the total GDP of New Zealand (Tourism New Zealand,2017). Tourists also benefit the New Zealand economy by creating 2.8 billion dollars in goods and services tax earnings(Tourism New Zealand,2017).If an endangered species like the hector’s dolphin provided this money for the economy then common sense can only lead someone to believe that the world’s smallest dolphin is worth the coast of saving them.
The aboriginal people Maori, native to New Zealand, value the hector’s dolphin so highly that should be known as the icon of New Zealand according to the tribe. For them the Hector’s Dolphin is known as Pahu, which translated means life long friend (Taylor & Currey, 2005) . When a member of the Maori passed away their spirit would return to the sea, and they believed that the dolphins were the reincarnation of their ancestors (Taylor & Currey, 2005). For the Maori the cultural importance outweighs the cost of saving them. Image how devastating it would be to their culture if this incredibly important animals were to disappear from the face of this planet.
When the environment is concerned, Hector’s dolphins play an important role in the food web as a local predator, in the waters off the coast of New Zealand. This means that regulate the fish population creating overall a more healthy ecosystem. These dolphins accomplish this by eating off the sicker fish, helpping fight infectious diseases among these populations and ensure the reproduction of fisheries resources ( Lees, L. 2011 and Hector's Dolphin). By creating a healthier fish populations, customers benefit due to people know that they are eating the healthiest fish of the sea. So, If a person wants to get sick and potentially die due to diseases carried by certain fish populations, then don’t save the Hector’s dolphin, but from where most people stand the worth beats out the cost of saving them.
​
Overall the world’s smallest dolphin is worth saving in more than one way, and benefits your average run of the mill person, the economy, as well as the environment. It’s clear to see that these benefits shouldn’t be overlooked. For this small dolphin it has a huge impact and needs to be saved to not ruin the world as we know it today.
Vicencio
All living organisms deserve a chance to live a long and healthy life. Whether it be something as small as an ant or as big as a whale. Hector’s Dolphin, one of the smallest dolphins in the world, is endangered. These beautiful sea creatures roam New Zealand and help the ecosystem. Hector’s dolphin not only have environmental importance but economic and cultural significance.
Hector’s Dolphin is a keystone species that not only controls fish population but eats ill fish in the sea. They hold up the ecosystem and if they due off then the whole ecosystem will collapse. Hector’s Dolphin has been known to be an extremely good predator and feed off the ill fish because of their easy access. Along with this they also control the fish population by being active eaters. It seems fitting for them to be extremely important because their population is small. Hector’s dolphins are seeing declining fish because of the fishing industry. What would heavily help the Dolphin environmentally? There must be more support and awareness of their role in the ecosystem, but first, there needs to be action!
Many are quick to notice how tourism in New Zealand has risen and had an economic boost because of Hector’s Dolphins appeal to everyone. Hector’s Dolphin has caused a boost in economic success in New Zealand. While these dolphins are small they have a big impact on the economy as a multi-million dollar business in Akaroa Harbour (Hector's Dolphin). This has caused a breakthrough number of people visiting and exploring the oceans to see these animals. There has been an improvement in eco-tourism and its popularity. A way that people around the world can do to further help save the species if they went to visit New Zealand's ocean coast and explore the ecosystem they live in. So the growth of ecotourism is noticed by the government who will take action to further protect this mammal. Hector’s Dolphins along with their subspecies has impacted New Zealand's economy greatly(Hector's Dolphin).
Hector’s Dolphins pose an important place in Maori tribe where throughout generations it has symbolized a lifelong friend and ancestors. For hundreds of years, Hector’s Dolphins have worked and interacted with the tribe in a fondly way. Their cultural importance more than ever is crucial to tell the story of this tribe and the historical importance too(Taylor, 2017). One of their most incredible story they tell is concerning how once a loved ones reincarnated into Hector’s Dolphin(Taylor, 2017). It would be devastating and heartbreaking if these stories would not be passed down through generations because Hector’s Dolphins would no longer exist. The Maori tribe has done a lot of activism to make sure the dolphins are protected and have pushed for more regulations but for there to really be a push more people need to call the government of New Zealand. There also must be more laws to create sanctuary boundaries to protect the dolphins from boats.
Hector’s Dolphins has positively benefited New Zealand and would be a tragedy if they disappeared. They have so many clear benefits of protecting them from economic value to the environmental importance. All animals deserve to live in an ecosystem that benefits them along with their habitat. If they were ever to be extinct we would lose one of the worlds most impactful and mysterious wonders. The earth is our home, let's protect it and all the living creatures on it.