Seal monitoring – Albatross Point, Gannet Island, Tirua Point

This study monitors local fur seal population density by observing the average number of seals seen per time period from two sites.

Seal counts at Albatross Point for the years 1990, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009. Seal counts at Gannet Island for the years 1958, 1971, 1972, 1990, 2005, 2007, 2009. Seal counts at Tirua Point for the years 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009.

Two survey sites at Albatross Point. Gannet Island - whole island. Tirua Point. Entire coastline between Albatross Point and Tirua Point.

NZMS260 R15: 580 426, 578 423

1958-2009

Albatross Point: 1990 - visual count from helicopter. 1996-2002 - Two permanent lookout points. Seal colony divided into two sectors. Average of a series of individual simultaneous counts over time, seals in and out of water counted. Gannet Island: 1958 and 1971 unknown. 1972 - Light aircraft. 1990 - visual count from helicopter. Tirua Point: 2001 and 2003 - visual count from land. All three locations: August 2005 - visual count from fixed wing aircraft and digital photos taken from the air. October, December 2005, 2007 and 2009 - visual count from helicopter, plus digital photos taken from the air. Frequency of collection: Albatross Point: November 1990, August 1996, July 1997, then July 2001, August 2002, October 2005, December 2005 and January 2007, August 2009. Gannet Island: 1958, December 1971, May 1972, November 1990, August 2005, October 2005, December 2005, January 2007, August 2009. Tirua Point: May 2001, July 2003, August 2005, October 2005, December 2005, January 2007, August 2009.

Timing of undertaking seal count may influence numbers observed. ie season, time of day, moon phase, weather conditions, tide, swell, viewing conditions, observers ability etc. Gaps in collection: Various years where data not collected. Data quality: Data prior to 2005 not collected using consistent methods. Post 2005 data collected using consistent methods. Survey not undertaken every year.

spreadsheet, report Digital Format: MS Word, MS Excel

Determine health and trends of seal population over time

Freely available

Ongoing

Additional comments: File MAM003