Swimming with seals along the Kaikoura coast will be limited and people will need to stay further away from the mammals when watching them, a Department of Conservation review says.
As a result of the review, the Director-General of Conservation has declared a 10-year moratorium on new permits for tourism operations
involving swimming with seals in the Kaikoura and Abel Tasman areas, and on new permits for seal tourism at Ohau Pt, near Kaikoura.
The review also recommended a 20m minimum approach distance for seal viewing from boats and the shore, previously 10m for kayaks and from the shore.
DoC'S Nelson Marlborough conservancy marine specialist, Andrew Baxter, said the aim was to protect Kaikoura's main breeding colony at Ohau Pt by stopping commercial seal watching or swimming with seals at the site.
A viewing platform would let people watch at a safe distance.
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
Related links
