Maui's Dolphin and the South Island Hector's Dolphin 5-Year Review (2024)

Under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), we are required to conduct a review of all listed species at least once every 5 years. In 2017, NOAA Fisheries listed Māui’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) as endangered under the ESA and the South Island Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) as threatened. In 2024, we initiated the most recent 5-year review, which was conducted by the NMFS Office of Protected Resources. The 5-year review is based on the best available data through September 2024. We concluded that no change to the listing status, of either the Māui’s dolphin or the South Island Hector’s dolphin, is warranted at this time.