A grant of $5000 has been made to researchers Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson to assist in the study of Hector's Dolphins which are now classed as being endangered. Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson both teach at University of Otago, in the Zoology and Marine Science departments respectively.

In 2004, they were jointly awarded the Sir Charles Fleming Award for outstanding contribution to conservation science.