The death of a Hector's dolphin could mean further restrictions on Otago commercial fishers.
One of the nationally vulnerable species is believed to have died after being caught in a net off the Otago peninsula in November.
The boat was fishing outside the protection zone and the dolphin wasn't initially identified as a Hector's.
There's a two death regional limit for the species for the season, after which more restrictions or protections can be fast tracked.
The first death has triggered talks between between the Ministry for Primary industries and the local fishing industry about introducing voluntary measures to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Acting director of fisheries management Marianne Lukkien explains what happened.
