Behavioural effects of tourism on oceanic common dolphins, Delphinus sp., in New Zealand: the effects of Markov analysis variations and current tour operator compliance with regulations.

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dc.citation.issue1
dc.citation.volume10
dc.contributor.authorMeissner AM
dc.contributor.authorChristiansen F
dc.contributor.authorMartinez E
dc.contributor.authorPawley MDM
dc.contributor.authorOrams MB
dc.contributor.authorStockin KA
dc.date.available2015-01-07
dc.date.available2014-12-17
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractCommon dolphins, Delphinus sp., are one of the marine mammal species tourism operations in New Zealand focus on. While effects of cetacean-watching activities have previously been examined in coastal regions in New Zealand, this study is the first to investigate effects of commercial tourism and recreational vessels on common dolphins in an open oceanic habitat. Observations from both an independent research vessel and aboard commercial tour vessels operating off the central and east coast Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand were used to assess dolphin behaviour and record the level of compliance by permitted commercial tour operators and private recreational vessels with New Zealand regulations. Dolphin behaviour was assessed using two different approaches to Markov chain analysis in order to examine variation of responses of dolphins to vessels. Results showed that, regardless of the variance in Markov methods, dolphin foraging behaviour was significantly altered by boat interactions. Dolphins spent less time foraging during interactions and took significantly longer to return to foraging once disrupted by vessel presence. This research raises concerns about the potential disruption to feeding, a biologically critical behaviour. This may be particularly important in an open oceanic habitat, where prey resources are typically widely dispersed and unpredictable in abundance. Furthermore, because tourism in this region focuses on common dolphins transiting between adjacent coastal locations, the potential for cumulative effects could exacerbate the local effects demonstrated in this study. While the overall level of compliance by commercial operators was relatively high, non-compliance to the regulations was observed with time restriction, number or speed of vessels interacting with dolphins not being respected. Additionally, prohibited swimming with calves did occur. The effects shown in this study should be carefully considered within conservation management plans, in order to reduce the risk of detrimental effects on common dolphins within the region.
dc.description.publication-statusPublished
dc.format.extent? - ? (23)
dc.identifierhttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000348167900006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=c5bb3b2499afac691c2e3c1a83ef6fef
dc.identifierARTN e0116962
dc.identifier.citationPLOS ONE, 2015, 10 (1), pp. ? - ? (23)
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0116962
dc.identifier.elements-id220607
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.issn1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10179/9835
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherPUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
dc.relation.isPartOfPLOS ONE
dc.subjectScience & Technology
dc.subjectMultidisciplinary Sciences
dc.subjectScience & Technology - Other Topics
dc.subjectBOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHINS
dc.subjectWHALES ORCINUS-ORCA
dc.subjectNORTHEAST NEW-ZEALAND
dc.subjectEAST AUCKLAND CURRENT
dc.subjectTURSIOPS-TRUNCATUS
dc.subjectHAURAKI GULF
dc.subjectWESTERN-AUSTRALIA
dc.subjectHECTORS DOLPHINS
dc.subjectSAMPLING METHODS
dc.subjectSOUTHERN AFRICA
dc.titleBehavioural effects of tourism on oceanic common dolphins, Delphinus sp., in New Zealand: the effects of Markov analysis variations and current tour operator compliance with regulations.
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Natural Sciences
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