Latest news with #MarineMammalsProtectionAct
1News
4 days ago
- 1News
Members of the public discover decapitated seals at Auckland beach
DOC is seeking information after two separate incidents of concerning behaviour towards marine mammals were reported in Auckland. In early June, members of the public discovered two dead kekeno/NZ fur seals on Muriwai Beach in West Auckland with their heads removed. Investigator with DOC's national compliance team Eva Obushenkova said that "DOC science staff who've seen the images say the decapitations are the result of human actions, and not predation by another species". "It's not acceptable for people to tamper with protected wildlife, and it's illegal to remove a protected species' head," Obushenkova said, according to the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Waiake beach on Auckland's North Shore. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT In a second incident at Waiake Beach on Auckland's North Shore, a witness saw a recreational boat skipper approaching a pod of dolphins between 11.20am and 12pm on May 21. "They reported seeing the boat head straight toward the dolphins, which were clearly visible, and get very close to them," Obushenkova said. "Our witness has also stated the boatie later changed direction and began following the pod, steering his vessel among the dolphins and eventually stopping the engine to take photographs." Obushenkova said the boat involved was a Haynes Hunter named Plaisir. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including an Auckland teen seriously ill in Vietnam, Trump slams supporters, and Icelandic volcano prompts evacuations. (Source: 1News) "We'd like to talk to the owner or skipper of Plaisir and encourage them to come forward." Under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations, vessels cannot travel through a pod of dolphins. "When people or organisations don't follow the rules, it further threatens our special places and native wildlife." Anyone who witnessed either incident or has any other information can contact DOC on 0800 DOC HOT, using the case number 9390 for the fur seals and the case number 9189 for the dolphins.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Call For Public Information On Auckland Marine Mammal Cases
DOC investigators are asking people to come forward with any information they have on two concerning incidents involving protected marine mammals in the Auckland region. Eva Obushenkova, an Investigator with DOC's National Compliance Team, says the first incident occurred between 11.20am and 12pm on May 21, and involves a recreational boat skipper seen steering his vessel through a pod of bottlenose dolphins. 'One witness has seen the vessel launched at Waiake Beach on Auckland's North Shore,' Eva says. 'They reported seeing the boat head straight toward the dolphins, which were clearly visible, and get very close to them. 'Our witness has also stated the boatie later changed direction and began following the pod, steering his vessel among the dolphins and eventually stopping the engine to take photographs.' Under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations, vessels cannot travel through a pod of dolphins. Eva says the boat involved in the incident is a Haynes Hunter named Plaisir. 'We'd like to talk to the owner or skipper of Plaisir, and encourage them to come forward,' she says. Anyone who saw the incident, or can share information on the vessel, can contact DOC on 0800 DOC HOT and quote CLE Works case number 9189. Any information offered by members of the public is kept confidential by DOC. In a separate incident at Muriwai in Auckland in early June, members of the public discovered two dead kekeno/NZ fur seals with their heads removed on the beach. The discovery was reported to DOC. DOC science staff who've seen the images say the decapitations are the result of human actions, and not predation by another species. Anyone with information on the decapitation of the dead seals at Muriwai - whether it's eye-witness reports of incidents, or other potentially valuable evidence – is asked to contact 0800 DOC HOT and quote CLE Works case 9390. Although DOC staff acknowledge the seals were discovered dead on the beach, there is still no justification for removing the animals' heads. The Marine Mammals Protection Act clearly states it is illegal to take any part of a marine mammal. 'It's not acceptable for people to tamper with protected wildlife, and it's illegal to remove a protected species' head,' Eva says. DOC protects and nurtures more than a third of New Zealand's landscape, marine areas, and thousands of endangered species – a role guided by several key laws like the Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, and National Parks Act. These legal frameworks ensure our unique biodiversity is properly safeguarded. When people or organisations don't follow the rules, it further threatens our special places and native wildlife. DOC takes these responsibilities very seriously and has a range of enforcement tools to hold rule-breakers to account. However, DOC can't be everywhere, so public eyes and ears make a real difference. DOC staff continually urge the public to help protect nature by reporting unlawful activity through 0800 DOC HOT.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Call to protect sea lions
The return of breeding pakake, New Zealand sea lions, to the Otago mainland coast has been transformative, but as numbers continue to increase, The Star reporter Sam Henderson speaks to a local community leader who says more is needed to be done to keep them protected. Otago's coastal sea lion community is edging towards a historic comeback 150 years in the making. Thirty-one pups were born on the Otago Peninsula in 2024, just four shy of the benchmark of 35 a year for five consecutive years that would see the area formally recognised as a breeding colony. Those increasing numbers mean Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope is calling for a more robust agreement between all organisations that are key to protecting sea lions such as the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, Te Runaka o Ōtākou and the Dunedin City Council. "I've lived on the peninsula for 30 years and I've seen the advent of the sea lion return back to the Otago Peninsula." Alongside the rise in sea lions, the number of tourists visiting local beaches has increased. One example is Allans Beach, near his home, which is now far busier than before. "There was a time when you would go to Allans Beach and you were lucky to see one or two people." That is often no longer the case and Mr Pope had witnessed some unfortunate encounters. "The way that the animals are interacted with and other things are not always the best. "I think we need to do better from that place in terms of vehicle management and people management." This was not a criticism of the work Doc was doing, he said. Sea lions are managed under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which is administered by Doc. The council also manages factors that affect sea lions, such as local roads. "We have had sea lions killed on the road." Doc and the council maintain joint-funding for Summer Rangers who patrol busy beaches and advise visitors how to behave around marine mammals. The partnership strengthens Dunedin's reputation as the 'wildlife capital' of New Zealand and helps mitigate avoidable threats to sea lions resting on local shores. "It is a collaborative arrangement, but there has to be some sort of financial strategy around some of that to make sure that actually the sea lions are protected in the best possible way. "The summer rangership is a great thing, but does that need to be funded more broadly between both organisations?" Mr Pope hoped a concrete funding plan would ensure a stronger programme could proceed. More money was needed for measures ranging from clear beach signage to extra "boots on the ground" to educate visitors about sea lions. Another pup-bearing season will begin in December which, if recent trends continue, will push the Otago mainland closer to breeding-colony status. "We are increasingly having more and more interactions with sea lions across the Otago Peninsula and with that comes risks to the animals in terms of their welfare and their treatment. "If we are to manage this in the long term, there needs to be a better increase in funding around making sure that they are safe in the longer term. "At the moment it all seems a little bit ad hoc. I think we could do better," Mr Pope said. Doc marine bycatch and threats manager Kristopher Ramm said the New Zealand sea lion population had risen sharply in recent years on Otago's coastal beaches. "We expect this trend to continue unless the population is impacted by human interference, disease, fisheries, or climate change." Pakake are among the world's rarest sea lions and are considered a taoka (treasure) by mana whenua. They appear on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list and were reclassified nationally endangered in New Zealand in April. "As this species is in active decline and at risk of extinction, Doc is working to improve survivorship and breeding numbers." While the mainland sea lion population is rising, the department's operational budget has remained similar to that of recent years. On the mainland the focus is on tracking population trends and advocating to lessen human-caused threats. Doc is directing most of its resources to the shrinking sea lion colonies on the sub-Antarctic islands, aiming to prevent the species' irreversible decline. For the rising numbers of sea lions on the Otago Peninsula, the priority was educating and advocating for pakake, such as asking drivers to be aware of sea lions and keeping dogs under control around marine mammals, giving animals space to rest.
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Tracking to keep sea lions and seals safe
Seal and sea lion populations are making a comeback around New Zealand, with many returning to their historic habitats. It's also seal silly season (May to September), meaning young fur seal pups are venturing off on their own for the very first time. They can show up on roads, be chilling in paddocks or even be seen wandering around Bunnings. As the season begins and populations grow, so do our encounters. The Department of Conservation (Doc) and the New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi have launched a nationwide project to track seals appearing near roads and want the public's help. "We're asking people to report sightings of seals, fur seals or sea lions on or near roads," Doc's marine senior technical adviser Jody Weir says. "Your sightings - date, location, even a photo if it's safe - will help us map hotspots and understand the risks. It's a great example of how citizen science could make a real difference." The project aims to analyse the road-related risks for the marine mammals. Its findings will help with road planning and improvements and to find high-risk zones. "We're thrilled to see populations recovering, but that success comes with new challenges," Weir said. "We want to protect these taonga species while also keeping people safe. That means understanding where the key hot spots are and planning smarter." Kaikōura is a prime success story with key hot spots - where fur seals were getting onto State Highway 1 - found, resulting in infrastructure upgrades to help protect the animals and drivers. "These young fur seals are out exploring their wider world while their mums are busy at sea getting food to be able to nurse that rapidly growing pup and grow the developing foetus inside her," Weir said. "It's an important stage of development, but it also means they can end up in unusual - and sometimes risky - places. By reporting sightings, you're helping us look out for them during this vulnerable time." Top seal tips • Never touch, handle, or feed a seal, as they can be aggressive if they feel threatened. It is also a breach of the Marine Mammals Protection Act. • Maintain a distance of at least 20 metres from a seal if possible and avoid getting between it and the sea. • Give seals space if encountered on or near a beach. • Always keep dogs on a leash and away from seals. • Ensure small children are at a safe distance and under control when watching seals. • If you see a seal that's badly injured, being harassed or in danger, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Sightings reported to seeaseal@ before June 22 will help shape the initial national road risk model.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Five fur seal pups found dead on beach: cause unknown
Mystery surrounds the death of several fur seal pups at Blackhead Beach in Dunedin. Resident Charlotte Orpen discovered the dead seal pups during her morning walk on Monday. "They were very young seal pups," she posted on social media. "I have never seen that many dead before." She knew it was the end of the breeding season, and wondered whether the pups had come too late in the season. She was a regular visitor to beaches around the city and enjoyed seeing seals thrive. She was upset to see so many dead seals at once. "I am up and down beaches all around Dunedin and ... I am just a bit bummed out about it." All seals, whales and dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. The Department of Conservation website said it took a "hands off" approach to fur seals, and advised observers to stay at least 20m away from them. Doc also advised people to leave dead seals where they were and inform Doc if the seals were tagged or "unique looking". An ODT photographer visited the beach yesterday and was able to see five dead seals within 2km of the carpark near the beach. Doc Otago operations manager Gabriel Davies said it was not uncommon for fur seal pups to die of starvation around this time of year, "but without a full postmortem we wouldn't presume to know cause of death". "In the event foul play is suspected, a full postmortem is conducted if possible, and Doc's compliance team investigates. "Doc advocates for healthy marine ecosystems. "We keep track of reported incidents and if data shows abnormalities, we take steps such as collaborating with [Ministry for Primary Industries] — for example if there was a large number of deaths, we would join forces to investigate and screen for diseases." Work was under way to understand the decline of fur seals on the West Coast of New Zealand, he said. "Doc is actively working to understand how to reduce fur seal and sea lion deaths, both on the mainland (particularly around roads) and in the subantarctic where they face different kinds of threats. "Seals are wild animals and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. "Adult seals can move surprisingly quickly on land. "While they can look harmless, seals can inflict serious injuries to dogs or people and can carry infectious diseases."
