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The effects of seal-swim activities on the New Zealand fur seal (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and recommendations for a sustainable tourism industry

Author

Listed:
  • Cowling, M.
  • Kirkwood, R.
  • Boren, L.J.
  • Scarpaci, C.

Abstract

Wildlife tourism (including pinniped tourism) offers people the opportunity to see wildlife in their natural environment. It can provide positive outcomes for the animals, through improved resources for conservation, or negative outcomes, such as inducing the animals to move away. This study assessed the impacts and sustainability of a novel but growing tourism industry, swimming with seals, based on interactions with New Zealand fur seals (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, between December 2011 and March 2012. The behaviour of all seals in the water (interaction, neutral, and avoidance) was monitored at 1min intervals, during 16 seal-swim events. Seals mostly ignored the swimmers (54% of records), some interacted with swimmers (41%); seals rarely avoided the swimmers (5%). Interactions peaked in frequency at 6min into the swims, then declined. They occurred most frequently during December, corresponding with the pupping period when juvenile seals—the age class most likely to interact—are excluded from breeding areas and so spend much of their time in the water. Compliance of tour operators to regulations was also monitored during seal-swim activities and the industry was found to be highly compliant. The results suggest the activities monitored had minimal impact on seals in the water, and are likely to be sustainable in relation to seal conservation. Tourism can be site and time specific, and it is recommended that approaches such as those trialled here be adopted to monitor other wildlife tourism activities to ensure their sustainability. Further research needs to examine potential impacts of the tours on seals ashore.

Suggested Citation

  • Cowling, M. & Kirkwood, R. & Boren, L.J. & Scarpaci, C., 2014. "The effects of seal-swim activities on the New Zealand fur seal (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and recommendations for a sustainable tourism industry," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 39-44.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:marpol:v:45:y:2014:i:c:p:39-44
    DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2013.11.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susannah S French & Manuela González-Suárez & Julie K Young & Susan Durham & Leah R Gerber, 2011. "Human Disturbance Influences Reproductive Success and Growth Rate in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(3), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Ralf C Buckley & J Guy Castley & Fernanda de Vasconcellos Pegas & Alexa C Mossaz & Rochelle Steven, 2012. "A Population Accounting Approach to Assess Tourism Contributions to Conservation of IUCN-Redlisted Mammal Species," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(9), pages 1-8, September.
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