The effects of tourism on the behaviour of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In ECOLOGY At the University of Canterbury By Jenipher Rose Cate School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ I ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... IV CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 Historical exploitations of marine mammals ....................................................................................... 2 Marine mammal tourism ...................................................................................................................... 3 History ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Natural history and colony dynamics ................................................................................................ 10 Behaviour as an indicator of disturbance ........................................................................................... 11 Objectives.................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOURISM ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE NEW ZEALAND FUR SEALS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND ...................................................................................................................... 17 Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 17 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 19 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Methods ....................................................................................................................... 21 Study sites .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Data collection ................................................................................................................................... 24 Research effort ................................................................................................................................... 27 Data analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Results ......................................................................................................................... 28 Tourism levels ................................................................................................................................... 28 Diurnal patterns of tourism ................................................................................................................ 28 Effect of different types of tourism on seal behaviour ....................................................................... 29 Discussion.................................................................................................................... 30 Tourism levels ................................................................................................................................... 30 Differences in seal behaviour during times with and without tourism .............................................. 31 Effect of type of tourism on seal reactions ........................................................................................ 34 Future consideration .......................................................................................................................... 36 Management options .......................................................................................................................... 37 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER 3: THE EFFECT OF TOURIST VESSELS ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF NEW ZEALAND FUR SEALS AT BANKS PENINSULA ............................ 49 Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 50 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 51 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 53 I Methods ....................................................................................................................... 54 Study sites .......................................................................................................................................... 54 Seal Behaviour ................................................................................................................................... 57 Data analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 58 Results ......................................................................................................................... 60 Vessel activity based on logbooks ..................................................................................................... 60 Vessel activity based on observational data ....................................................................................... 61 Seal reactions ..................................................................................................................................... 61 Discussion.................................................................................................................... 65 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 71 CHAPTER 4: USE OF EXPERIMENTALLY-CONTROLLED BOAT APPROACHES TO DETERMINE NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES AT THREE COMMONLY USE TOUR BOAT VIEWING DISTANCES ........................................................................................... 86 Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 86 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 88 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 90 Methods ....................................................................................................................... 91 Study Sites ......................................................................................................................................... 91 Data collection ................................................................................................................................... 92 Experimental approaches ................................................................................................................... 93 Data analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 95 Results ......................................................................................................................... 96 Discussion.................................................................................................................... 99 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 103 CHAPTER 5: EFFECTS OF TOURIST PRESENCE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL PUPS AT A COMMUNAL “PLAYGROUND” .................................................................................................................................... 110 Abstract ..................................................................................................................... 111 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 112 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 114 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 115 Study site ......................................................................................................................................... 115 Behavioural observations ................................................................................................................. 115 Tourist counts .................................................................................................................................. 116 Data analysis .................................................................................................................................... 118 Results ......................................................................................................................