A new study by the University of Auckland has uncovered the astonishing underwater choreography of the world’s smallest marine dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin. However, these impressive behaviors may also increase their risk of becoming tangled in fishing gear.

Published in 2025 in the journal *Conservation Letters*, the study sheds light on the full range of dances these dolphins perform beneath the waves—information that was previously unknown. Researchers revealed a hidden underwater world filled with acrobatic maneuvers, deep dives, and sophisticated feeding strategies.

These stunning behaviors highlight the conservation challenges faced by these endangered dolphins, whose population currently hovers around 15,000 individuals. The study found that Hector’s dolphins regularly use areas beyond the existing protected zones, which were established based on limited or flawed data.

Importantly, Hector’s dolphins can and do dive to depths where fishing gear may be present. As a result, current protections only partially reduce the risk of bycatch, putting these dolphins in continued danger.

With this new data, scientists are better equipped to assess threats accurately and design more effective conservation strategies by understanding the dolphins’ complex underwater behaviors.

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