Journal article
Tourism affects the behavioural budget of the common dolphin Delphinus sp. in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol.355, pp.287-295
2008
Abstract
Common dolphins Delphinus sp. are frequently targeted by tourism operations in New Zealand waters, yet there is a paucity of data on potential impacts faced by this species. Transition matrix models, used widely in population ecology, have recently been applied to behavioural transitions in order to provide successful management guidelines. We detail the use of Markov chain models to assess the impact of tourism activities on the behavioural state of common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. First-order time discrete Markov chain models were used to describe transition probabilities in both control and impact scenarios. The effect of boat interactions was quantified by comparing transition probabilities of both control and impact chains. Foraging and resting bouts were significantly disrupted by boat interactions to a level that raises concern about the sustainability of this impact. Both the duration of bouts and the overall time spent in these 2 behavioural states decreased. Foraging dolphins took significantly longer to return to their initial behavioural state in the presence of the tour boat. There was also an increased preference to shift behaviour to socialising or milling after tour boat interactions. Impacts identified in the present study are similar to those previously reported for bottlenose dolphins, a coastal species typically considered to be more susceptible to cumulative anthropogenic impacts. © Inter-Research 2008.
Details
- Title
- Tourism affects the behavioural budget of the common dolphin Delphinus sp. in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
- Authors
- K A Stockin (Author) - Massey University, New ZealandD Lusseau (Author) - Dalhousie University, CanadaV Binedell (Author) - Massey University, New ZealandN Wiseman (Author) - University of Auckland, New ZealandMark Orams (Author) - Massey University, New Zealand
- Publication details
- Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol.355, pp.287-295
- Publisher
- Inter-Research
- Date published
- 2008
- DOI
- 10.3354/meps07386
- ISSN
- 0171-8630; 0171-8630
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2008 Inter-Research. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451403902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Oceanography
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