Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management

Abstract

Due to the highly predictable patterns of occupancy on land, pinnipeds are one of the main marine resources observed by tourists, which, in turn, could strongly perturb their behavior. We analyzed the behavioral responses of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) to the presence of tourists and its variation according to temporal (2012 vs. 2013 austral summer months), spatial (breeding vs. nonbreeding sites of the colony), and age/sex class (adult males vs. subadult males vs. females) factors, and determined the relationship between the degree of responses by sea lions and the distance of the vessel to the colony, visitation time, and tourist behavior. We recorded 1,232 boat visits during 2012 and 2013. Subadult males were the age/sex class most affected in the breeding site, followed by adult females at the nonbreeding site. More disturbing conduct by tourists, longer visitation time, and vessels closer to the colony caused greater responses by sea lions. The established minimum distance from the colony is not enforced, generating an adverse response by sea lions. We recommend the development of management plans with the local coastal communities to decrease the impact of ecotourism on the species and enhance the sustainability of this industry.

Are we killing them with kindness? Evaluation of sustainable marine wildlife tourism

“…Good management plans and guidelines have no value if they are not adequately implemented (Parsons, 2012;Pavez et al, 2015;Sitar et al, 2016;Wiley et al, 2008). Large-scale monitoring of visitors' behaviour and enforcement of regulations are not always feasible due to logistic and economic constraints, and in many cases the management and implementation of guidelines/restrictions takes place at a smaller, local scale (Allen et al, 2007;Constantine et al, 2004;Dobson, 2006).…”

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

“…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.…”

“…bryonia , more frequent disturbance was elicited at a breeding site compared with a haul‐out site, whereas female P . vitulina displayed less pronounced responses, appearing reluctant to leave their pups (Anderson et al ., ; Pavez et al ., ).…”

“…Distance has been identified in many studies as the main factor in altering pinniped behaviour, eliciting stronger responses when disturbance occurred within closer ranges (Cassini, ; Boren et al ., ; Labrada‐Martagón et al ., ; Szaniszlo, ; Shaughnessy et al ., ; Strong and Morris, ; Pavez et al ., ; Young et al ., ). Here, ‘Viewing’ activities were associated with low levels of noise, as any discernible sound (e.g.…”

“…While distance has a significant effect on responses elicited, human behaviour also has been noted to significantly contribute to disturbance of otariids ( Arctocephalus australis ; Cassini, ; Labrada‐Martagón et al ., ; Pavez et al ., ), and phocids. Vessel activities that involve higher in‐air noise levels have been shown to have similar effects to direct, i.e.…”