The minimum approach distances for people viewing seals along the Kaikoura coast should be increased, a research paper says.
The suggestion, in a combined paper from Canterbury University's zoology department and Landcare Research in Nelson, coincides with a Department of Conservation review of seal watching in the area.
The paper said New
Zealand fur seals were the only marine mammal found regularly ashore in New Zealand, particularly around much of the South Island, and there was some concern that they might be vulnerable to the effects of tourist pressure.
At Kaikoura, the present minimum approach distances recommended by DoC were 10m by land, 10m to non-breeding sites by kayak and 20m to breeding sites by kayak and by motorboat.
Closer approaches could result in the fur seals modifying their behaviour, the paper said.
The researchers suggested a minimum approach distance of 30m on land, 20m for kayak approaches, and 30m for boat approaches.
They recommended that no land-based tourism activities be permitted in seal breeding colonies.
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
Related links
