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.

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.

Impact Of Colonial Sealing On Seal Stocks Around Australia, New Zealand And Subantarctic Islands Between 150 And 170 Degrees East

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Ling
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Elephant Seal ◽  
Southern Elephant Seal ◽  
Mirounga Leonina ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Seal Oil ◽  
The Impact

Details of southern elephant seal oil and fur seal and sea lion skin cargoes have been extracted from a large number of secondary sources dealing with Australian and New Zealand maritime history, which in turn referred to numerous primary sources of information. The data were collated and analysed for ten areas in the south-west Pacific region and published recently in two separate larger works. This review is a synthesis and analysis of the impact of the colonial sealing industry on seal stocks in the region, based on those papers, with some minor revisions and reference to works by other authors. Colonial sealing lasted from the late 18th to the mid- 19th century and was followed by sporadic hunting until the late 1940s. Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) were hunted for their oil; and Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri), Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) and New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) were targeted for their skins and some oil. At least 1,081 tons of elephant seal oil were shipped from King Is. between 1802 and 1819, while 8,380 tons were shipped from Macquarie Is. between 1810 and 1919. More than 1.4 million skins of both species of fur seals were harvested between 1792 and 1949, but only 4,000 Neophoca and 5,700 Phocarctos pelts are recorded as having been shipped by 1840. The Antipodes Islands yielded more than a quarter of the total fur seal skin harvest, and New Zealand and southern Australia each delivered a quarter of the total. Current numbers of the two species of fur seals combined are about a tenth of the crudely estimated size (1.5 million) of the original population. The exploited fur seals and sea lions were probably the same species as occur today at the original sealing localities, apart from Macquarie Is. where the identity of the exploited fur seals remains in doubt. There is some evidence that Maoris and Australian Aborigines hunted seals in pre-European times, resulting in reduced ranges and depleted stocks that were exploited later by colonial sealers.

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.

Seasonal dive behaviour of lactating New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri)

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Mattlin ◽  
N J Gales ◽  
D P Costa
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dive Depth ◽  
Dive Duration ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Dive Behaviour ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Fur Seal ◽  
Bay Islands

The dive behaviour of 18 female New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) from Taumaka, Open Bay Islands, New Zealand (43°52'S, 168°53'E), was recorded during early (summer; December-February), mid (autumn; March-May), and late (winter; June-August) lactation. Mean dive depth, dive duration, and bottom time for dives >=6 m in depth increased from summer through winter. Variation in individual seal dive behaviour within a season accounted for approximately 11, 9, and 11% of the observed difference between seasons in dive depth, dive duration, and bottom time, respectively. Seasonal dive data (mean ± 1 SD) were as follows: summer: dive depth 30 ± 37 m, dive duration 1.4 ± 1.1 min, and bottom time 0.5 ± 0.6 min; autumn: dive depth 54 ± 47 m, dive duration 2.4 ± 1.3 min, and bottom time 1.0 ± 0.8 min; winter: dive depth 74 ± 64 m, dive duration 2.9 ± 1.5 min, and bottom time 1.2 ± 1.1 min. Maximum recorded dive depth was 274 m for a 5.67-min dive in autumn. Maximum duration was 11.17 min for a dive to 237+ m in winter. New Zealand fur seals are the deepest diving fur seal species reported thus far. The estimated theoretical aerobic dive limit was exceeded on 18.4% of dives (range of individual values 0.2-57.8%). Females (n = 12) were ashore about 1.8 days at a time during February through November, and this increased to about 4.3 days during December and January. Average time spent away from the rookery ranged from 3 to 15 days.

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.

scholarly journals An assessment of thermal-image acquisition with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for direct counts of coastal marine mammals ashore

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Jordan Gooday ◽  
Nicholas Key ◽  
Sharyn Goldstien ◽  
Peyman Zawar-Reza
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Thermal Imaging ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Infrared Camera ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Infrared Thermal Imaging ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Fur Seals

We investigated the efficacy of infrared thermal imaging devices for detecting coastal marine mammals in forested coastal environments. Our objective was to determine whether pinnipeds could be detected through the forest canopy using thermal imagery. We used a UAV-mounted and a ground-mounted infrared camera to survey New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) located in Ohau Stream and Point Kean coastal shrub forest on the east coast of New Zealand. These methods were compared to paired photographs and walk-through counts. Ground-mounted thermal images detected more seals than paired photographs during the cooler times of the day (morning and evening). In contrast, aerial thermal videos were successful in detecting fur seals in open areas, but were less successful in areas of high canopy cover (>80%). We discuss the advantages and limitations of thermal imaging for population sampling and provide some recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Thermal Effects of Magmatism on Surrounding Sediments and Petroleum Systems in the Northern Offshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kutovaya ◽  
Karsten F. Kroeger ◽  
Hannu Seebeck ◽  
Stefan Back ◽  
Ralf Littke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Local Effect ◽  
Magmatic Activity ◽  
Burial History ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Oil Accumulation ◽  
Petroleum Systems ◽  
The Impact

In the past two decades, numerical forward modeling of petroleum systems has been extensively used in exploration geology. However, modeling of petroleum systems influenced by magmatic activity has not been a common practice, because it is often associated with additional uncertainties and thus is a high risk associated with exploration. Subsurface processes associated with volcanic activity extensively influence all the elements of petroleum systems and may have positive and negative effects on hydrocarbon formation and accumulation. This study integrates 3D seismic data, geochemical and well data to build detailed 1D and 3D models of the Kora Volcano—a buried Miocene arc volcano in the northern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. It examines the impact of magmatism on the source rock maturation and burial history in the northern Taranaki Basin. The Kora field contains a sub-commercial oil accumulation in volcanoclastic rocks that has been encountered by a well drilled on the flank of the volcano. By comparing the results of distinct models, we concluded that magmatic activity had a local effect on the thermal regime in the study area and resulted in rapid thermal maturation of the surrounding organic matter-rich sediments. Scenarios of the magmatic activity age (18, 11 and 8 Ma) show that the re-equilibration of the temperature after intrusion takes longer (up to 5 Ma) in the scenarios with a younger emplacement age (8 Ma) due to an added insulation effect of the thicker overburden. Results of the modeling also suggest that most hydrocarbons expelled from the source rock during this magmatic event escaped to the surface due to the absence of a proper seal rock at that time.

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