2017 Māui Dolphin Photo ID Surveys No Images? Click here Welcome to Māui Watch! Issue 8Autumn 20172017 Māui Dolphin Photo ID SurveysWhile most North Americans were dealing with winter temperatures during February this year, Professor Scott Baker from Oregon State University was in sunny Auckland undertaking photo-ID surveys of Māui dolphin. The objective was to repeat vessel surveys in known Māui dolphin habitat and photograph the dolphins to potentially identify individuals based on natural markings. While Māui dolphins can be difficult to identify by their natural markings, improvements in digital photography equipment offers us the increased potential to identify individuals in this way. The University of Auckland maintains a publically available catalogue of ‘distinctly marked’ individuals (http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/files/image/MauiIDGuide/MauiCatalogue.pdf). Photo courtesy of University of Auckland/Oregon State University photo catalogue. In early 2016 the Harbers Family Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to the visual arts in service of conservation (https://www.harbersfoundation.org/harbers-foundation/), provided support for additional boat surveys to continue the photo-ID work that was undertaken during the biopsy surveys. With support again from the Harbers Family Foundation in 2017, these photo-ID surveys were repeated in February in collaboration with Oregon State University, the University of Auckland, and DOC. Eleven successful surveys were completed from 14 to 25 February aboard the ‘Sea Thief’, a 10 metre, aluminium ‘Westcoaster’ especially designed for west coast conditions. In keeping with the broader objective of using advances in digital technology for improved monitoring of Māui dolphins, the team also worked with local filmmaker, Steve Hathaway, to collect high definition video using a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (a drone). The specific objectives of the drone filming were to improve estimates of dolphin group size and to better understand the use of the surf-break habitat. These objectives cannot be investigated from the vessel because of the limited view from the boat deck and of the danger of moving the vessel into the surf zone. The team are currently sorting through thousands of digital images from the still cameras and several hours of HD video from the drone. The initial results are very exciting – a number of distinctively marked individuals from the existing catalogue have been re-sighted and the drone video is providing new insight into the group size and behaviour around the boat. Over the next few months, the team will continue to sift through the new images adding to our long-term monitoring of this rare dolphin. Photos courtesy of Harbers Family Foundation Have you seen me?ID: M002Last seen: Swimming in a pod of 3-4 dolphins during the 2015 summer field survey. M002 was first identified in 2005 and re-sighted again in 2013, and has been seen swimming near the Manukau Heads. Recent sightings
Research update
The Hector’s and Māui dolphin Threat Management Plan is up for review in 2018. DOC and MPI are currently working together to plan and gather the information that will feed into this review. The review will incorporate any new information about the dolphins since the last review (2012 for the Māui dolphin section), including the most recent abundance estimate published at the end of 2016. A number of pieces of work are planned in the lead up to the review including:
Following the completion of these projects and the risk assessment, DOC and MPI will work together to prepare the Draft Threat Management Plan for public consultation towards the end of 2018. Following consultation, officials will prepare advice for Ministers that incorporates the review results, public submissions, and identifies what additional actions the Government may need to take to ensure these dolphins remain well protected
Photo courtesy of University of Auckland/Oregon State University photo catalogue. Team Māui - Callum LilleyCallum Lilley is a Senior Biodiversity Ranger based in Ngāmotu/New Plymouth and has been with DOC for 10 years. His job includes managing and monitoring Tapuae and Parininihi Marine Reserves and the Ngā Motu/Sugar Load Islands Marine Protected Area, marine mammal work, providing advice on coastal and marine matters (within DOC and to external organisations), and working with DOC's iwi partners, community groups and other stakeholders. Being in a District office, he also assists in a range of other work areas when called upon. Q: What past work have you completed on Māui dolphins, and what future work will you be doing on the dolphins? I assisted with the Māui dolphin TMP review in 2012 and have undertaken boat-based and aerial surveys for Māui dolphins since that time. I help to ensure key DOC staff are appropriately trained to take biopsy samples and that we have Animal Ethics Committee approval to do this work. I also coordinate an advocacy programme in Taranaki which involves a summer Māui dolphin advocacy ranger targeting beaches, boat ramps and public events to educate maritime users to identify Hector's/Māui dolphins and immediately report sightings. Prompt reporting may allow staff to obtain genetic samples to help us learn more about Māui dolphins. We need to know more about their southern extent, offshore range and whether sightings off Taranaki and Whanganui are of Māui or Hector's dolphins. Genetic research would inform decisions regarding their management. 2017 Māui Dolphin Day, RaglanDiving deeper into the issues On the eve of Raglan’s annual Māui Dolphin Day, DOC gathered together a panel of experts and the community to talk about the environment we share with Māui dolphin, from the land, to the harbour, to the sea. The meeting was held at a local café with representatives from DOC’s Marine Species and Threats team, Waikato Regional Council, local coastal scientists, local conservation groups, and Dr. Wendi Roe from Massey University to hear the latest developments in local coastal research and Māui dolphin work. Raglan has already taken action to improve the local environment for Māui dolphin. Whaingaroa Harbour Care have planted over 1 million trees in the Whaingaroa catchment resulting in the growth of seagrass beds, shellfish resources and recovering fish populations. Xtreme Zero Waste has installed Enviropods on all Raglan storm water drain systems to remove waste before it enters the ocean. The old Raglan landfill leachate has been addressed and the town now recycles or reuses over 76% of its waste. Bringing together scientists and the community has led to meaningful discussions and the community can continue to look for solutions. “Can Enviropods be modified to catch toxoplasma?” “Can Raglan become plastic bag free and reduce plastic pollution in our ocean?” We look forward to more discussions like this and more actions into the future! “Our land actions are important. We need to collaborate. It’s about team work” - public feedback. |