NZ sea lion monitoring at the Auckland Islands 2009/10

Introduction

This report describes the results of ongoing population monitoring of New Zealand sea lions at the Auckland islands. This is the final report for the 2009/10 year. Published 2010.

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NZ sea lion research trip, Auckland Islands, December 2009 - February 2010 (PDF, 67K)

Summary

This progress report outlines key findings from the 2009/10 New Zealand sea lion research field trip to the Auckland Islands. A manuscript containing detailed methods and full findings, including work undertaken for this project during 2008/09 and 2007/09, will be produced at a later date.

This work continues annual surveys of the Auckland Island breeding sites of the New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri).

The objectives of the project were:

  • To collect field data that will allow quantification and estimation of: 
    • pup production
    • survival of previously marked New Zealand sea lions
    • reproduction by known-age female New Zealand sea lions
  • To maintain and update the New Zealand sea lion database
  • To make available field data for relevant modelling work, and
  • To characterise at-sea distribution of poorly known age and sex classes of New Zealand sea lions.