The effects of seal-swim activities on the New Zealand fur seal (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, and recommendations for a sustainable tourism industry

Responses of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, to anthropogenic activities in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia

“…Long‐lasting interactions between N . cinerea and vessels or ‘People’ in the water were a common occurrence in this study (26.5% of all responses), similar to Arctocephalus forsteri approaching kayaks or interacting with swimmers from a swim tour (Boren et al ., ; Cowling et al ., ). In contrast, at Seal Bay, South Australia, N .…”

“…In contrast, similar behavioural changes as a response to noise were not observed in this study, and aggressive behaviours towards stimuli were comparatively rare. This difference may be explained by age and sex composition of the study populations, as well as timing within the breeding cycle (Boren et al ., ; Labrada‐Martagón et al ., ; Tripovich et al ., ; Cowling et al ., ; Pavez et al ., ). How human impacts affect different age and sex classes is known to vary between different species of pinnipeds.…”

“…In the Southern Hemisphere alone, 1.3 million people visit pinnipeds every year (estimated average from 1995 to 2000), with an annual value of US $12.6 million (Kirkwood et al ., ). Activities range from swimming with seals and sea lions to watching them from boats, planes or land (Boren et al ., ; Kirkwood et al ., ; Lovasz et al ., ; Cowling et al ., ).…”

Increased alertness behavior in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) at a high vessel traffic haul‐out site

“…Ecotourism, or nature‐based tourism, has gained in popularity over recent decades (Cowling, Kirkwood, Boren, & Scarpaci, ; Kirkwood et al, ), with marine mammal tourism forming a substantial part of the industry (Kirkwood et al, ). Ecotourism can play an important role in fostering positive views of marine wildlife, as it provides an opportunity to view or interact with marine mammals in their natural habitat (Cowling et al, ).…”

“…Ecotourism, or nature‐based tourism, has gained in popularity over recent decades (Cowling, Kirkwood, Boren, & Scarpaci, ; Kirkwood et al, ), with marine mammal tourism forming a substantial part of the industry (Kirkwood et al, ). Ecotourism can play an important role in fostering positive views of marine wildlife, as it provides an opportunity to view or interact with marine mammals in their natural habitat (Cowling et al, ). This may be beneficial to the conservation of target species by increasing participants’ awareness of conservation issues and enhancing appreciation of the target species and their environment through education (Boren, Gemmell, & Barton, ; Filby, Christiansen, Scarpaci, & Stockin, ; Kirkwood et al, ; Orams, ).…”