Endangered Māui's dolphins could be threatened by underreported dolphin deaths by fishing. Photo: Wikicommons
World wildlife has fallen by 58 percent in 40 years according to a new report by the Zoological Society of London and WWF - meanwhile a local report released yesterday by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, paints a grim picture of the health of our marine life
The Ministry for the Environment document says 90 percent of our native seabirds and shore birds are threatened or are at risk of extinction.
Of the 32 species and subspecies threatened with extinction, 12 are nationally critical facing an extremely high risk of extinction, including species of albatross, shag, petrel, and penguin.
The WWF/ZSL Living Planet report shows overall populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have fallen by 58 % since 1970.
It says animals living in lakes, rivers and wetlands are suffering the biggest losses.
WWF New Zealand's Head of Campaigns, Peter Hardstaff, says the key threats to New Zealand ocean life are climate change, the impacts of fishing and pollution from the land
He talks to Kathryn Ryan
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