Maui Dolphin Research Advisory Group DOC current and proposed research and monitoring
Summer monitoring 2013/14: • Taranaki summer surveys: -DOC staff in Taranaki, undertook a series of Maui dolphin aerial and boat-based surveys as they have done in previous years. Aerial surveys Month Completed Hector's/Maui Killer whale NZ fur seal November 20/11/2013 3 December 12/12/2013 January 20/01/2014 February 3/02/2014 4 2 March 11/03/2014 April 1/04/2014 2
Summer monitoring 2013/14: • Taranaki summer boat surveys: Boat surveys Month Completed Hector's/Maui Killer whale NZ fur seal November - North N/A N/A N/A November - South N/A N/A N/A December - North N/A N/A N/A December - South N/A N/A N/A January - North N/A N/A N/A January - South N/A N/A N/A February - North 18/02/2014 2 February - South 19/02/2014 March - North 12/03/2014 March - South N/A N/A N/A April - North 3/04/2014 April - South 2/04/2014 3
Summer monitoring 2013/14: • Taranaki summer Maui dolphin advocacy and monitoring programme: - A Maui dolphin advocacy ranger was employed in Taranaki for a second summer to undertake a boat ramp advocacy programme. - Primary focus to educate maritime users on how to identify Hector’s/Maui dolphins, encourage prompt reporting of sightings (to facilitate biopsy sampling) and to improve quality of data collected (GPS waypoints /photos/video of dolphins) . - Additionally, surveys undertaken to learn about habits of maritime users and their ability to ID Hector’s/Maui dolphins and report sightings. -Contact made with 740 people at 5 boat ramps. -79% of respondents knew who to report sightings to -69% could ID Hector’s/Maui, 16% couldn’t, with 15% maybe -The above results were higher than similar surveys undertaken further south (possibly due to profile of issue in Taranaki and the previous season’s advocacy work) -4% believed they had seen a Maui dolphin previously 4
Summer monitoring 2013/14: • Alongshore aerial surveys: -Three aerial surveys outside the core range of Maui dolphins, (north of Manukau Harbour, south of Raglan Harbour) were undertaken. These were conducted at 1, 4, and 7 nm offshore. WCNI Along shore Aerial surveys Month Region Distance Completed Hector's/Maui April Manukau North 1, 4, 7 24/04/2014 1 April Raglan - New Plymouth 1, 4 30/04/2014 May New Plymouth - Whanganui 1, 4 1/05/2014 May Raglan - Whanganui 7 1/05/2014 Sightings: Species: Maui Dolphin; single adult Time: 08:29hrs (during 1 st flight northbound Manukau to Maunganui Bluff) Position: 36 degrees 41.90 minutes South, 174 degrees 18.81 minutes East Sighting Cue: body of animal Behaviour: swimming 5
Maui dolphin social science project: public engagement : • DOC and Worchester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) project to improve awareness of Maui’s dolphin and sighting reporting services. Only about 5% of people know enough about Maui’s dolphins AND reporting services to accurately report sightings of Maui’s dolphin. • The project team developed • two posters, • a bumper sticker, • a tackle box sticker These collectively educate the public on the Maui dolphin problem and how they can help by reporting sightings effectively. “Rounded fin? Send it in!” 6
Maui dolphin social science project: public engagement: • Creating and providing an email list of organisations, clubs and community groups to aid in Maui dolphin outreach campaigns. • Design of a smart phone application for reporting. • DOC is in the process of implementing the outputs from this work and in discussion with community groups on wider communications. • DOC is also developing new signage to update signs at boat ramps with new maps, protection measures and information on Maui dolphins. 7
DOC science research support: • Necropsy contract with Massey University – DOC continues to contract the necropsy of Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins. Standard histological testing for Toxoplasmosis was added to the contract requirements. • DOC has also contributed to research undertaken by Massey University both financially and in supplying cats trapped in predator control programmes. The purpose of this project is to determine the origin of Toxoplasmosis in the waterways. “Massey has processed 100 cat samples to date, and found that 3 cats were shedding infectious toxoplasma oocysts in their faeces. Genotyping of these isolates is underway, and may identify potential sources of dolphin infection.” 8
DOC science research support: • Genetic research –planned and opportunistic genetic sampling of Hector’s dolphins in Kaikoura and Golden Bay was undertaken. Lab analysis is pending. These studies will investigate population substructuring and assist in better understanding the corridor between the North and South Islands. • Fine scale habitat use - fine scale habitat use of Maui dolphins using existing genetic and photo ID data as well as focal follows over winter and summer boat surveys. This will give a better understanding of habitat use within the core of Maui dolphin range. • Stable isotope analysis of Maui dolphin diet – DOC Auckland has commissioned analysis of Maui diet using stable isotopes. A progress report from NIWA is forthcoming. 9
Work planned for 2014/2015 • Continuation of necropsy and toxoplasmosis work, and completion of studies that are in progress, continuation of boat and aerial surveys. • Implementing recommendations for and building on improved engagement and reporting of Maui dolphin sightings and strandings. • New proposals resulting from this process??? 10
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