Dear MARMAM colleagues,
On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Meissner AM, Christiansen F, Martinez E, Pawley MDM, Orams MB (2015) 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. PLoS ONE 10(1): e0116962. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0116962 Abstract: Common 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. A copy of the article can be downloaded at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116962 <https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=2Y8i6RRtI0qogwcFwULUVHsgGZFvA9II2abnnc0PteJY_o2kde1o0vcw5ivGotHWwLvi-J4TAQ0.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fjournals.plos.org%2fplosone%2farticle%3fid%3d10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0116962> Please do not hesitate to contact me at anna.meiss...@gmail.com if you are unable to download it. Kindest regards, Anna Meissner ------------------------------------------------- Anna M. Meissner PhD student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City, 0745 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 41520 Cell: +64 22 603 6646 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Email: a.m.meiss...@massey.ac.nz Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz -------------------------------------------------
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