Heaviside’s dolphin  (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii)

Threats

The lack of information on Heaviside’s dolphin makes it difficult to assess how threatened this species may be (1). By-catch, whereby dolphins get entangled in fishing gear, represents one of the greatest threats this dolphin may face, but there is little information available on the numbers of individuals that may be killed in this manner (5). A number are also illegally hunted, apparently for their meat (7). The small distribution of Heaviside’s dolphin makes it particularly vulnerable to any threats it may face (7).

Conservation

Heaviside’s dolphin is protected within 200 miles of the coast of South Africa, and 12 miles of Namibia, in Exclusive Fishery Zones in which all dolphins are protected (8). In addition, this species may benefit from its listing on Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), which encourages range states (in this case Namibia and South Africa), to develop agreements for the conservation and management of the species (4).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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