Sperm whale watching off Kaikoura, New Zealand: effects of current activities on surfacing and vocalisation patterns (Science for Conservation: 219) Research Completed

Title

Sperm whale watching off Kaikoura, New Zealand: effects of current activities on surfacing and vocalisation patterns (Science for Conservation: 219)

Lead Author

Richter, C.F., Dawson, M. S. & Slooten, E.

Organisation(s)

Department of Conservation

Publication Year

2003

Publisher

Department of Conservation

Contacts

Abstract

Off Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand, sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the focus of a whale watching industry which uses boats and aircraft to view the animals year-round. This study employed boat-based and shore-based observations to determine the impacts of current whale watching activities on the whales. Over four years (1998.2001), we recorded 1676 sightings from the research vessel and 435 from shore. Several aspects of whale behaviour were significantly affected by the presence of whale watching vessels. Blow interval (mean and median) decreased in the presence of the research vessel and/or whale watching boats.

Whale watching boats and aircraft, individually or together, caused increases in the time whales spent at the surface and in the frequency and amount of heading changes. Boats caused a decrease in the time to the first click. Aerial behaviours were more frequent when only the research vessel was present. Two groups of sperm whales are distinguishable off Kaikoura: resident whales, which typically stay in the study area for weeks or months at a time, often returning in different seasons and/or years; and transients, which are seen on one day only. Transients reacted more frequently and more strongly to boats. However, they are rarely visited by whale watching trips because of their further offshore distribution.

Residents reacted less and received most of the whale watching activity. Our study showed that whale reactions to whale watching boats varied significantly among different individuals. Some whales were very tolerant. Whale reactions also varied with season. Our survey indicates that effects of whale watching on resident whales, while statistically detectable, appear to be sustainable, and of no serious biological consequence. However, current whale watching effort on residents is high, and some individual whales may spend approximately half of their surfacings during the busy summer season accompanied by one or more boats. Given management options of reducing, maintaining or increasing the level of permitted whale watching activities, we recommend that the current level be maintained.

Keywords:

Conservation, Department of Conservation, Kaikoura, Whale, Marine, Tourism, Sperm whale, Whale watching, Impact, Environment

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1015

Added

June 27, 2012

Last Modified

June 27, 2012