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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
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Changes ahead for youth scholarship fund grants
Applications to the Otago Peninsula Community Board's youth scholarship fund have prompted suggested changes to the grant criteria. The board recently heard from applicants and approved funds to two young people. Esme Liesbeth Blaker has received $1000 to help her attend the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in Croatia later this year as a member of the New Zealand team. In her application the 16-year-old year 12 Bayfield High School student said she started taekwon-do at age 8, but a video of board-breaking at a local club sparked her desire to specialise in power breaking. In the years after the Covid-19 pandemic, Esme began improving her skills and increased training hours. "I realised, oh, like, I'm actually getting better at this, funnily enough. There is more than just doing it casually." By last year she had began training five times a week. Working with coach Dean Jenkins at the University of Otago she discovered a "new intensity". Her efforts paid off at her debut national competition, where she won three medals. That success was only the start, as she earned a black belt with distinction last December and was chosen to be part of the New Zealand team at the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships. The grant will help cover some of the costs of competing at the championships. A second recipient, Liesel Tolson, has likewise secured $1000 to support her plan to study at the University of Otago. The 17-year-old year 13 Otago Girls' High School student plans to take health sciences in her first year, then specialise in pharmacy or pharmacology. Liesel listed her sporting pursuits, from regional and national aerobics events to captaining the school rowing club. She also volunteers as a peer supporter and as a science tutor for younger pupils. "I've hosted visiting international students at home and have been so proud to show them around the peninsula." "I also founded and now run the school's French club." Liesel said many "wonderful young people" in the community were just as deserving of the scholarship, but she tried her hardest to make the most of every chance she was offered. After awarding the grants, the board discussed reviewing the youth scholarship fund. From the next financial year it agreed to split the fund into two awards: an academic scholarship and an ambassadorial award. It also resolved to publish clearer guidelines explaining the purpose of each. The remaining $252.82 of the board's discretionary funds was granted to the Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Clarity sought over sea lion conservation
Sam Henderson outlines highlights from the Otago Peninsula Community for tackling weeds The Otago Peninsula Community Board has granted just over $1700 to Save The Otago Peninsula to buy tools such as loppers, saws and gardening gloves. Volunteers will use the tools for weed removal and native planting, especially the ''Gorse Force'' team clearing gorse in the Smith's Creek revegetation area. Sea lion management discussed The board has written to the Department of Conservation (Doc) seeking more detail on sea lion management on Peninsula beaches. Although the board was strongly supportive of sea lion conservation, it asked whether a longer-term management strategy existed. Board chairman Paul Pope said after a low point of one mainland sea lion birth in 1992, there were now roughly 30 each year. ''What I would like to see is like a memorandum of understanding between the [Dunedin City Council] and Doc around who does what and how it is managed. ''Let's plan out the season, what's happening, who's doing what.'' The board hopes to invite a Doc representative, such as coastal Otago operations manager Gabe Davies, to its next meeting. The board supports increasing sea lion numbers but wants a strategic approach that helps local organisations work together. Thanks for doctor's dedication The board has written to Otago Peninsula Medical Centre GP Dr Peter Cooke, who is retiring after 43 years, to thank him for outstanding service to Peninsula residents. Funds for museum The board approved a grant of just over $260 to the Otago Peninsula Museum and Historical Society, which is running an oral history project. The museum sought funds to buy a digital voice recorder and transcription kit to interview longtime Peninsula residents. The grant will help the museum preserve local memories for future generations. Youth scholarships extended With no initial applicants for the board's annual Youth Scholarship, the deadline has been extended to May 31, 2025. The $1000 scholarship is earmarked to support a local young person in education, leadership or community service . The board urges eligible Peninsula youth to apply before the new deadline so the money can go to a worthy recipient. An extra board meeting is planned in June to consider any late applications. The board will also decide how to allocate the remaining balance of its project fund at that meeting.
