Fur seals: habitat preferences and human interaction
1.
2.
Project title
Fur seals: habitat preferences and human interaction
Proponent(s) details
(a) Chief Investigators
1
Title
Name
Institutional
Affiliation
Address
Phone
Number
Fax Number
Email
2
Professor
Robert Harcourt
Macquarie University
Mr
Matt Carr
Jervis Bay Marine Park
North Ryde, NSW
02 9850 7970
PO Box 89, Huskisson, NSW, 2540
(02) 4428 3001
02 9850 7972
robert.harcourt@mq.edu.au
(02) 4441 7756
matt.carr@dpi.nsw.gov.au
(b) Co-investigators
1
Title
Dr
Name:
Institutional
Affiliation:
Address:
Phone
Number:
Fax Number:
Email:
Justin Clarke
Shoalhaven Veterinary Clinic
109 Berry St, Nowra, NSW, 2541
(02) 4421 3150
(02) 4423 0343
the.vet@bigpond.net.au
(c) Primary Contact for Project
Name:
Matt Carr
3.
4.
Public project summary
Australian and New Zealand fur seals are currently recovering from historic over-exploitation and are expanding their
ranges within Australian waters. Both seals are colonising habitats along the NSW coast, where they will compete for
resources with each other and with human use. Understanding habitat preferences of these seals at a time when their
populations are low, will greatly enhance the success of future conservation and management strategies both in NSW and
elsewhere where seal populations are expanding. This project will examine haul-out and foraging activities of these seals.
Research priority areas
Interactions between fur seals and humans often leads to disturbance or harm to the animals and disruption to human
activities. Two species of fur seal reside in Australia: Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New
Zealand fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri. Both are native to southern-Australian waters and were harvested almost to
extinction in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After remaining at low numbers for over 100 years, populations’ recoveries
were first recognised during the late 20th century. Each species now has a population in Australian waters of over 100,000
individuals. As the populations recover, both species are expanding their ranges, and the number of seals that haul-out at
locations along the NSW coast has increased significantly in the past 30 years.
The degree of occupation of NSW coastal water by fur seals prior to sealing is not known. Up until about the 1960’s,
however, fur seals hauled out at Seal Rocks on the mid-north coast demonstrating that habitat was available to them prior
to the current colonisation. While fur seals have been virtually absent from the NSW coast, human activities have
increased significantly. NSW is now the highest populated area of Australia (>5 million people). Accordingly, there is
significant coastal development and human use of marine resources and a network of marine parks have been established
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in NSW to protect representative marine habitats and biological diversity and maintain ecosystem processes. The extent
of interaction with human activity is currently unknown as fur seals recolonise the NSW coast.
This project will focus on fur seals that occupy haul-out sites in the south coast region of NSW, principally around Jervis
Bay. There, both species occupy a range of sites within and outside Jervis Bay Marine Park and Batemans Marine Park.
Previous studies have demonstrated that these sites not only contain seals year-round, but also represent important
resting site for fur seals that travel up and down the NSW coast.
Human interactions are increasingly common as the northward range of fur seals recovers to its pres-sealing extent. The
prevalence (or absence) of human interaction and harm is coincident with marine park protection and other spatial
management of human activities eg. ease of public access to locations and spatial fisheries management. Spatial
management such as marine parks can address the issue of disturbance and harm caused to fur seals. For this
management to be successful, it must be informed by accurate data on both haul-out behaviour and at-sea movements.
Most of the available science focuses on where females forage at breeding colonies, which are predominantly in the Bass
Strait and South Australia. Haul-out behaviour and foraging preferences at the northern end of the fur seal range are
poorly understood, and this has implications for the management and recovery of these species as they recolonise their
pre-sealing range.
At-sea interactions are predominantly with fishers. Spatial zoning of marine parks (which determines where fishing can
occur) can limit these interactions if correctly planned. Beyond mariner park boundaries, spatial fisheries management
also plays a role. Interactions at haul-out locations can also be limited by spatial zoning of marine parks by focussing
land-based access such as rock fishing into areas where it will cause least disturbance to seals and facilitate their ongoing
recovery.
By tracking fur seals fitted with GPS and time-depth-recorders (TDR), we are able to gather information about fine-scale
foraging and haul-out behaviour. With this information about habitat preferences we will be able to evaluate the relative
importance of different habitats. When overlaid with information about habitat types, spatial zoning and distribution of
human uses we will be able to quantify the extent and potential for interactions and adjust spatial management
accordingly, to minimise the potential for disturbance and harm to seals caused by human uses.
Tracking seals once they leave the haul-out sites surrounding the NSW coast and return to breeding colonies will also
provide valuable information on the population structure beyond NSW, and where the apparent increase in the NSW
population is being seeded from. This has important implications for conserving the population as a whole rather than just
protecting the animals while they are resident in a marine park.
5.
Policy
Both Australian fur seals and New Zealand fur seals are listed as Vulnerable species in NSW under the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995.
The Australian Government Action Plan for Australian Seals (Shaughnessy, 1999) includes the following stated
research objectives:
- “Investigate feeding ecology and foraging behaviour”
- “Obtain information on movements and feeding areas using satellite-linked radio transmitters and time-depth
recorders”.
The Action plan identifies both species as Lower Risk, Conservation Dependent in Australia.
Jervis Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan (and zoning plans for other marine parks, including Batemans Marine Park where
tagged seals from the pilot study have visited) is established to conserve marine biological diversity and marine
habitats by declaring and providing for the management of a comprehensive system of marine parks and to maintain
ecological processes in marine parks, of which seals are an important part. Accurate spatial information about fur
seals use of habitats within the marine park is necessary in order to inform marine park management.
Fisheries Management Strategies – various fisheries in NSW with seal interactions, including Ocean Trap and Line
Fishery and Ocean Trawl Fishery which operate in the research area.
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6.
Project objectives
The project has a number of objectives:
1. to apply GPS tracking devices to seals at haul-out locations in the Jervis Bay region and track the seals for following
weeks
2. Elucidate behaviour, haul-out usage and foraging habitats of fur seals along the NSW coast
3. Improve understanding of the processes of colonisation of the NSW coast by fur seals
4. Compare and contrast overlaps of habitat usage and marine park zoning
5. Compare and contrast overlaps between habitat usage and human use eg. fisheries
6. Improve knowledge and public awareness of fur seals along the NSW coast, their distribution and role in local marine
ecosystems
The project was run as a pilot study in Jervis Bay Marine Park in 2011 and 2012, to assess the effectiveness of the
methodology and to determine how useful the results would be to applied management of fur seals. Four tags were
deployed to inform the following research questions:
- Do individual animals show fidelity to a particular haul-out site or is there connectivity between haul-out sites within the
marine park and outside?
- How long are individuals spending within each of the spatial management zones within the marine park and outside the
marine park?
- Of the time spent within each spatial management zone, what proportion is spent hauled out or foraging, where
interactions with human uses are most likely?
The pilot study showed that the method used for capturing and deploying the tags is viable. The preliminary results have
indicated that the data gathered can be used to answer the research questions posed above. It is therefore our intention
to continue the project with a greater number of animals so that the results can be used to inform future management of
marine parks in which seals are present, and more broadly, to inform conservation of fur seal species as they re-colonise
previously inhabited areas, to minimise disturbance and possible harm as a result of human interactions that can be
addressed through spatial management.
7.
Project methodology
Fur seals will be captured and chemically restrained using Zoletil to avoid unnecessary stress and risk to the animals. A
detailed outline of the capture and restraint methodology is at Appendix A. A Wildlife Computers GPS tag will be adhered
to the animal behind the scapulae using a 2 part adhesive. The tag will separate from the animal during the moult if the
animal is not recaptured and the tag removed beforehand.
Where possible, animals will be recaptured using the same methodology and the device will be retrieved, data downloaded
and the device redeployed. Data is still received from animals that are not recaptured. The data are transmitted via
satellite and can be used to inform questions about the animals’ movements, haul-out behaviour and foraging depth. It is
desirable to recapture and recover the devices where possible as higher resolution spatial and foraging data are available
if downloaded directly from the device. These higher resolution data can be used to inform exactly which habitats the
seals are foraging on and how those habitats are being utilised for foraging eg. benthic, mid-water etc. This information
can be used to determine which areas within the marine park (and outside) are most critical and deserving of protection,
and where harmful interactions are most likely and need to be more intensively managed.
Wildlife Computers GPS tags will be used because they offer GPS, satellite transmitting and time-depth recording
functions required to obtain the necessary data. Standard geolocating tags will not provide the resolution required at such
a small spatial scale.
Tags will be deployed from May – October each season, when the seal population is at its peak and there is a higher
likelihood of the seal returning to an area where the tag can be recovered. From October onwards seals begin returning to
breeding colonies in the Bass Strait.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used to quantify the success of existing marine park spatial management
in minimising potentially harmful interactions and to identify areas of importance for at-sea movements and haul-outs.
This information can be applied directly to future marine park management to improve spatial zoning to better complement
the habitat needs of fur seals.
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8.
Data collection
The above methodology has been successfully used to deploy tags on 6 fur seals during the pilot study, and in other
research projects studying a range of seal species. Approximately twelve additional tags will be deployed in 2013.
Data retrieved from recovered tags are downloaded manually be connecting the tag directly to a computer and accessed
via the Wildlife Computers DAP software.
Data from tags that are not retrieved are recovered via satellite download from the ARGOS system of satellites.
Based on the current pilot study and the experience of researchers using the same methodology, tags will transmit for ~90
– 200 days before their battery expires or the tag falls of the animal.
9.
Location/s of data collection
Fur seals will be tagged opportunistically at haul-outs between Five Islands Nature Reserve and Montague Island. The
area of focus for capturing and tagging seals will be the haul-out sites within Jervis Bay Marine Park. In particular,
Lamond Head provides easy and safe access and is a workable area where recovery of the devices was achievable
during the pilot study. Based on anecdotal evidence and the results of the pilot study conducted in 2011/12, Lamond
Head appears to be a staging point for seals travelling both north and south, with seals returning to this site after hauling
out elsewhere periodically.
10.
Data analysis
Initial analysis of spatial and diving data will be made using the proprietary Wildlife Computers DAP Processor software.
Spatial and foraging data will then be overlaid with detailed marine park zoning data, habitat spatial data and fisheries data
using ArcView GIS to determine the likelihood of harmful interactions with human use.
The likelihood of disturbance in each of the mapped locations will be inferred by quantifying the percentage of at-sea and
haul-out time in locations with different levels of exposure to disturbance eg. sanctuary zones vs heavily fished locations,
ease of access, proximity to human settlement etc.
11. Project outputs
Expected outputs
Tagging completed
Public presentations
Report to AMMC
Manuscripts and reports to managing agencies
Improved understanding of spatial conservation needs for re-establishment of preharvesting range
Date of completion (mm/yy)
10/13
1/14 and ongoing
3/14
4/14 and ongoing
4/14 and ongoing
12. Technical and management capability
Prof Rob Harcourt
Prof Harcourt has over 25 years experience with marine mammal research including fur seals, dolphins and southern right
whales. He has been the CI for a number of collaborative investigations over the last 20 years with international partners
from Scotland ; NZ; USA ; South Africa and France. The total budget for these various research projects is just over seven
million dollars. He has been Head of Department and Director of Marine Science at Macquarie University since 2001
managing a department of 18 staff and annual budgets comfortably exceeding one million dollars
Mr Matt Carr is the Manager of Jervis Bay Marine Park. Matt has 12 years of experience in marine park planning,
development and operations management including review and amendment to marine park spatial management to align
with contemporary research outcomes. He has worked in marine parks in NSW, the Great Barrier Reef and
Commonwealth jurisdictions. Matt has extensive experience in research field work, including the capture and tracking of
fur seals, sharks and fish and in the management and handling of marine wildlife.
Dr Justin Clarke has worked as a veterinary surgeon since 1994, on a wide range of species both domestic and wild.
Justin has extensive experience in the capture and care of fur seal species (and other marine wildlife including dolphins,
4
whales, turtles, shorebirds etc) and routinely undertakes this work for NPWS and NSW marine parks. Justin has
developed his seal expertise in collaboration with Dr Larry Vogelnest from Taronga Zoo and has successfully captured,
tagged and release fur seals as part of the 2011 pilot study conducted by Jervis Bay Marine Park.
Dr Roger Kirkwood is a Senior Research Scientist at Phillip Island Nature Parks (a not-for-profit, self-funded body within
the Victorian State Government) and has conducted research on Australian fur seals for >15 years, including 14 years in
his present position and 2 years with Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife (1990-91). He has led >100 field trips to seal colonies
in Bass Strait, attached tracking devices to >100 Australian fur seals and he has produced >50 research publications.
Risk Management.
Injury to team member
Injury to any team member could restrict research outcomes at any site and injury to a key researcher could greatly restrict
data collection. During the pilot study no injuries occurred, however, all researchers are experienced in the capture of
seals and will be briefed prior to commencing the field work. There are sufficient experienced researchers involved that
should a member of the team be unable to fulfil their role due to injury, sufficient expertise will be available to continue the
study.
Adverse weather conditions
The capture of seals and deployment of tags is conditional on suitable weather and sea conditions. In suitable weather, 2
tags can be deployed each day on average and we are confident that the 12 tags will be successfully deployed in the time
available. Should adverse weather set in, the number of tags retrieved may be affected, which reduces the resolution of
GPS data available, but does not severely impact the outcomes of this study as positions will still be received via satellite
for tags not recovered.
Access to research site/s
The tagging site at Lamond Head is accessed via the Beecroft Weapons Range, managed by the Department of Defence.
Access through the weapons range can be closed periodically during military exercises. Access has been facilitated by
the Defence Environment Team rangers. Significant restrictions on access are not anticipated, however, 2 contingencies
exist:
- accessing the site via boat, which will be facilitated by the Jervis Bay Marine Park
- accessing the site on weekends when military exercises are not underway to allow public access to recreational areas
surrounding the weapons range
Alternative tagging locations are also available at Five Islands Nature Reserve, Brush Island and Montague Island based
on the regular visitation of previously tracked seals during the 2011 pilot study. All of these sites are accessible and
contain sufficient numbers of seals who utilise the marine park during their at-sea movements and haul-outs. Lamond
Head is chosen as the principal tagging site because of its central location.
.
Management Capability
Macquarie University operate a Research Office of 12 full-time staff, managing research grants and research contracts
awarded to the university. This team utilise the Research Master database to track and manage all research activity, and
are supported by local research administrative staff in Divisions, and by central offices for finance and HR matters. The
office deals with over 100 funding bodies in a typical year, and manages over 800 active research grants and contracts.
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13. Communication Plan
Target
Audience/s
Identify the
audience/s you
will be
communicating to.
Key Message/s
Identify the key
message(s) you
want to
communicate to
the target
audiences.
Methods
Identify the methods by which
you are going to deliver the
information to the target
audiences during and after
the project. These methods
may include media releases,
workshops, forums,
newsletters, websites, face-toface communication or
publications.
Evaluation
Identify how you will
evaluate the success of
the plan. This may
include surveys of
target audiences,
recording of media
coverage or sales of
publications.
Revenue
Is any commercial
revenue anticipated?
Marine managers
Effectiveness of
current spatial
management and
areas for
improvement
Increased
awareness,
understanding and
support of
management
interventions for
the conservation
of fur seals
Publication of results
Acceptance of paper
for publication
No
Community Marine Information
Series (presentations)
Attendance at
community information
sessions
No
Media releases
Media coverage
No
Public
14. Permits/approvals
Permit number/details
Permit holder
Issuing authority
Matt Carr
Expiry date
(dd/mm/yy)
30.11.2013
E2009_0036 - research
permit, EPBC
Regulation, SL100111
NPW Regulation –
Scientific Licence,
2011/054 - AEC
approval
Matt Carr
1.3.2013
DEWHA (now DSEWPAC)
Prof Rob Harcourt
12.12.2013
Macquarie University AEC
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OEH
15. Bibliography
Arnould, J, and Kirkwood, R. (2007). Habitat selection by female Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus
doriferus. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 53-67.
Arnould, J. and Hindell, M. (2001). Dive behaviour, foraging locations, and maternal-attendance patterns of
Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 79 (1) 35 -48.
Burleigh. A., Lynch, T. and Rogers, T. (2006). A status report on the most northern East Coast Australian fur seal
colony (Steamers Head, NSW) and the influence on environmental factors and disturbance on haul-out behaviour.
Edgar, G. J. (2008). Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters (second edition). New
Holland Publishers, Sydney. p590.
Hindell, M. and Pemberton, D. (1997). Successful use of a translocation program to investigate diving behaviour in
a male Australian fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus. Marine Mammal Science 13(2), 219-228.
Hindell, M. and Lea, M. (1998). Heart-rate, Swimming Speed and Estimated Oxygen Consumption of a Freeranging Southern Elephant Seal. Physiological Zoology Vol 71 No , 74-84.
Kirkwood, R., Gales, N., Lynch, M. and Dann, P. (2002). Satellite tracker deployments on adult, male Austrailan fur
seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus: methods and preliminary results. Australian Mammalogy 24, 73-83.
Littnan, C.L. and Arnould, J.P.Y. (2002). At sea movements of female Austrailan fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus
doriferus. Australian Mammalogy 24, 65-72.
Marine Parks Authority. (2008). Natural Values of the Jervis Bay Marine Park. p28.
Pemberton, D., and Kirkwood, R.J. (1994). Pup Production and Distribution of the Australian Fur Seal,
Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus, in Tasmania. Wildlife Research 21, 341-352.
Shaughnessy, P. D. (1999). The Action Plan for Australian Seals. Environment Australia, Canberra. p40.
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APPENDIX A
IMMOBILISATION OF FUR SEALS
1. Context
Fur seals are increasingly establishing permanent and seasonal haul-out sites in Jervis Bay Marine Park. As their occupancy of
the area increases, further information is required in order to manage human interactions, and to manage for the conservation of
the species. In order to collect data about their movements and habitat usage in the marine park, GPS transmitters with
integrated time-depth recorders are being attached to fur seals. To do this safely, it is necessary to remotely apply a chemical
sedative to immobilise the seals.
2. Protocol
The following key steps will be followed in immobilising fur seals:
a)
Approaching animals
To minimise disturbance to animals, the initial approach to the haul-out site will be made by as few people as possible,
taking care to be quiet and avoid attracting the attention of the animals.
b) Selection of individual animals
Only animals that visually appear to be in sound condition and that do not have direct access to the water will be
selected.
c)
Chemical choice
Animals will be remotely sedated using Zoletil (Tiletamine Hydrochloride and Zolazepam Hydrochloride premixed in
a 1:1 ration, manufactured by Virbac). A dosage rate of 1 to 1.3mg/kg will be used initially, based on estimated body
weight. The Zoletil will be administered remotely via dart.
d) Darting
A selected animal will be darted with a CO2 powered Dan-Inject Dart Gun using Pneudart darts, by a qualified
veterinary surgeon.
e)
Observation and approach
Once darted, the animal will be observed from a distance, taking appropriate precautions to avoid disturbing the
animal. The animal will only be approached when it is deemed safe to do so by the veterinary surgeon.
f)
Administration of Isoflurane gas anaesthetic
Animals will be anaesthetised using a portable gas anaesthetic machine with Isoflurane supplied via mask. The animal
will be monitored by a veterinary surgeon throughout the procedure. Should the animal experience an obstructed
airway or prolonged apnea (which is a simulated dive reflex in marine mammals) endotracheal intubation and positive
pressure ventilation will be available.
g) Provision of O2 and ongoing observation
Prior to release of the animal, Isoflurane will be discontinued and 100% Oxygen will be administered until signs of
recovery (palpebral reflexes, jaw tone and pain response) are apparent. The animal will continue to be observed from
a distance until signs of alertness are observed.
This protocol was developed by:
Dr Justin Clarke
Matt Carr
In consultation with:
Dr Larry Vogelnest
Dr Michael Lynch
Independently reviewed by:
Prof Robert Harcourt
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