Conservation of marine mammals in New Zealand

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Slooten ◽  
Stephen M. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Conservation Problem ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Pinniped Species ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
The Impact

New Zealand has a diverse fauna of marine mammals, comprising 35 cetacean and six pinniped species. None of these is hunted within the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone, but several species are killed incidentally in coastal or deep-water fisheries. Particularly affected are Hector's Dolphin, Hooker's Sea Lion, and the New Zealand Fur Seal. Detailed information on the nature and magnitude of incidental catches is patchy at best, and inadequate to assess nationally the impact on any one species. Other species are known to be caught, but a quantitative assessment of how many are caught per year is impossible. The impact of whale watching on sperm whales has attracted more attention, and impacts of tourism on other marine mammals are just beginning to be studied. We critically review the nature and management of the potential threats facing New Zealand marine mammals, including bycatch, entanglement in plastic debris, chemical pollution, and tourism. We discuss research needs and management recommendations for each conservation problem in turn.

Tourist Disturbance On New Zealand Fur Seals (Arctophalus Forsteri)

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Boren ◽  
NJ Gemmell ◽  
KJ Barton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Current Minimum ◽  
The Impact

Marine mammals are significant tourist attractions around New Zealand, however, the impact of eco-tourism on these species is poorly documented. Effective management to mitigate any negative effects requires an understanding of target species? reactions to tourist activities. We have studied the effects of tourist activities on New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) using a novel combination of observations and controlled approaches. Three study areas were selected reflecting a range of visitor density, type of tourism, and the anticipated sensitivity of fur seals to disturbance. Behaviour was observed using instantaneous scan sampling and attributes of tourist approaches were tested experimentally by controlled approaches. Approaches were made on land, by kayak, and motorboat. Fur seal responses and the distance at which the seal responded were recorded. Our results indicate that A. forsteri behaviour was being modified by tourist activities. Habituation was occurring at study areas with high levels of tourist activity. Approachers following current minimum approach distances still caused some animals to modify their behaviour and new minimum approach distances are recommended based on controlled approaches to seals at all study areas. Our work demonstrated that controlled approaches can be a useful tool to develop effective management guidelines to lessen impacts from eco-tourism activities.

Male-biased sex ratios in New Zealand fur seal pups relative to environmental variation

2003 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw ◽  
Robert G. Harcourt ◽  
Lloyd S. Davis
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Environmental Variation ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal

Records of vagrant fur seals (family Otariidae) in South Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Catherine M. Kemper ◽  
David Stemmer ◽  
Jane McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The South ◽  
South Indian Ocean ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
South Indian ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Subantarctic Fur Seals

Two fur seal species breed on the southern coast of Australia: the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and the New Zealand fur seal (A. forsteri). Two other species are vagrants: the subantarctic fur seal (A. tropicalis) and the Antarctic fur seal (A. gazella). We document records of vagrant fur seals in South Australia from 1982 to 2012 based primarily on records from the South Australian Museum. There were 86 subantarctic fur seals: 49 specimens and 37 sightings. Most (77%) were recorded from July to October and 83% of all records were juveniles. All but two specimens were collected between July and November. Sightings were prevalent during the same period, but there were also nine sightings during summer (December–February), several of healthy-looking adults. Notable concentrations were near Victor Harbor, on Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsula. Likely sources of subantarctic fur seals seen in South Australia are Macquarie and Amsterdam Islands in the South Indian Ocean, ~2700 km south-east and 5200 km west of SA, respectively. There were two sightings of Antarctic fur seals, both of adults, on Kangaroo Island at New Zealand fur seal breeding colonies. Records of this species for continental Australia and nearby islands are infrequent.

Blunt trauma observed in a common dolphin delphinus sp. Likely caused by a vessel collision in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Martinez ◽  
K A Stockin
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Education ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Immature Male ◽  
Blunt Force Trauma ◽  
The Impact

While coastal cetaceans can become habituated to watercraft, that may not prevent their injury or mortality as a consequence of vessel strike. Here we report a case of a likely collision between a Common Dolphin Delphinus sp. and a recreational vessel in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Injuries sustained by the immature male dolphin were fatal. Recovery and subsequent post-mortem of the carcass revealed a transection of the spinal cord, with the vertebral column sustaining fractures between L17 and Cd7 and between Cd3 and Cd8 of the neural and transverse processes, respectively. Cd4 likely received the brunt of the impact given the vertebral body and epiphyses were also fractured. Paralysis of the lower truck and associated extensive internal injuries resulted in a live stranding and subsequent mortality. Injuries sustained were consistent of those of blunt force trauma, a consequence of an impact caused by a collision with a small watercraft, most likely a jet-ski. This incident reinforces the need for continued public education concerning safe water practices around marine mammals, which are protected under the New Zealand Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 and Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992.

Colony growth and pup condition of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) on the Kaikoura coastline compared with other east coast colonies

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 497 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Boren ◽  
C. G. Muller ◽  
N. J. Gemmell
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Seal Population ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract.Since its near extermination by sealing, the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) has been recolonising areas of its former range throughout New Zealand and Australia. This study examined fur seal population growth over four breeding seasons spanning 2002–05 at the Ohau Point and Lynch’s Reef colonies in Kaikoura and the Horseshoe Bay and Te Oka Bay colonies on Banks Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand. Estimates of pup numbers were made using mark–recapture techniques and condition indices were used to assess the body condition of pups in each colony. We found that the Ohau Point and Te Oka Bay colonies are growing exponentially (32% and 47% per annum respectively), reaching nearly 600 pups at Ohau Point and 300 pups at Te Oka Bay, whereas Horseshoe Bay appears stable. Pups born at Ohau Point are consistently heavier and in better condition than their Banks Peninsula counterparts despite the faster rate of growth observed at Te Oka Bay. An El Niño event in 2003 coincided with a drop in mass and condition at the Banks Peninsula colonies, but not at the Kaikoura colony. This discrepancy between colonies in response to environmental conditions suggests that colony-specific variables at Kaikoura may provide more favourable conditions for rearing pups than on Banks Peninsula.

A survey of the oral cavity microbiome of New Zealand fur seal pups ( Arctocephalus forsteri )

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 334-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsalan Emami‐Khoyi ◽  
Isma Benmazouz ◽  
James G. Ross ◽  
Laura J. Boren ◽  
Elaine C. Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal

Changes in the abundance of New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Shaughnessy ◽  
SD Goldsworthy ◽  
JA Libke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Made In

Kangaroo Island was an important seal-harvesting site during the early years of European colonisation of Australia. A recent survey of the New Zealand fur seal, Arctocephalus forsteri, in South and Western Australia indicates that Kangaroo I. is still an important centre for the species. In order to determine changes in the abundance of the population, numbers of pups were determined at four colonies on Kangaroo Island by mark-recapture in up to five breeding seasons from 1988-89 to 1992-93. Clipping was the preferred technique for mark-recapture estimation of pups because it was quick, easy and effective. Recaptures were conducted visually; they were repeated several times in each season to improve precision of the estimates. No pups were marked between recaptures in order to minimise disturbance. Assumptions made in estimating population size by the mark-recapture technique pertinent to this study are reviewed. Pup numbers increased at three colonies: at Cape Gantheaume, from 458 to 867 over five years (with exponential rate of increase r = 0.16, n = 5); at Nautilus North, from 182 to 376 over five years (at r = 0.19, n = 4); and at North Casuarina Islet, from 442 to 503 over four years (at r = 0.043, n = 2). Rates of increase in the first two colonies are similar to those at the most rapidly increasing fur seal populations in the Southern Hemisphere. The Kangaroo I. population is estimated to be 10000 animals in 1992-93. It is likely to be at the recolonisation phase of growth, with high rates of increase at individual colonies (or parts of colonies) resulting from local immigration. As space does not appear to be limiting expansion in these colonies, fur seal numbers may continue to increase there.

Australian fur seals establish haulout sites and a breeding colony in South Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Jane McKenzie ◽  
Melanie L. Lancaster ◽  
Simon D. Goldsworthy ◽  
Terry E. Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Neophoca Cinerea ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
New Zealand Fur Seal

Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) breed on Bass Strait islands in Victoria and Tasmania. They have been recorded in South Australia (SA) for many years as non-breeding visitors and on Kangaroo Island frequently since 1988, mostly in breeding colonies of the New Zealand fur seal (A. forsteri) which is the most numerous pinniped in SA. Australian fur seals have displaced New Zealand fur seals from sections of the Cape Gantheaume colony on Kangaroo Island. North Casuarina Island produced 29 Australian fur seal pups in February 2008. Australian fur seal pups were larger than New Zealand fur seal pups in the same colony and have been identified genetically using a 263-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region. North Casuarina Island has been an important breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals, but pup numbers there decreased since 1992–93 (contrary to trends in SA for New Zealand fur seals), while numbers of Australian fur seals there have increased. This study confirms that Australian fur seals breed in SA. The two fur seal species compete for space onshore at several sites. Australian fur seals may compete for food with endangered Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) because both are bottom feeders.

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