Maui's dolphins project: the people

People behind Maui's dolphin conservation in New Zealand

We spoke to a former fisherman and honorary fishery officer, Fred Lichtwark.

Fred Lichtwark has done a lot in his life. He's been a commercial fisherman, so he knows a lot about what happens out at sea.

He's also voluntarily helped police fishing activity during his time as an honorary fishery officer, and now he's turned to lend a hand managing Whaingaroa Harbour Care, a group dedicated to the protection of the waterways and streams in Whaingaroa, a local town near the Maui's dolphin range.

"Fishermen do care. They don't want to catch dolphins. It's just the dollar unfortunately has the overriding say in the issue," says Fred.

"I've seen dolphin caught both on a trawler and in gill nets. We've seen two Maui's dolphins taken in a net that was set literally right along the shore," says Fred.