Decline in local abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Tezanos-Pinto, Gabriela; Constantine, Rochelle; Brooks, Lyndon; Jackson, Jennifer A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4158-1924; Mourão, Fabiana; Wells, Sarah; Baker, C. Scott. 2013 Decline in local abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 29 (4). E390-E410. 10.1111/mms.12008

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12008

Abstract/Summary

Regional populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around New Zealand are genetically isolated from each other and the species was recently classified as nationally endangered based on relatively small population sizes and reports of high calf mortality. Here, we estimate the abundance and trends in one of these regional populations, the Bay of Islands, using a photo-identification database collected from 1997 to 1999 and from 2003 to 2006, containing a total of 3,841 records of 317 individual dolphins. Estimates of abundance obtained with the robust design fluctuated widely but showed a significant decline in the number of dolphins present in the bay over time (7.5% annual rate of decline). Temporary emigration was random and fluctuated considerably (γ = 0.18, SE = 0.07 to γ = 0.84, SE = 0.06). Apparent survival was estimated at 0.928 (CI = 0.911–0.942). Seasonal estimates (26 seasons) obtained in POPAN also showed a significant decline in abundance (5.8% annual rate of decline). Despite the decline observed in local abundance, dolphins continue to be found regularly in the Bay of Islands, suggesting that fewer dolphins use the bay on regular basis. Consequently, it seems that a change in habitat use, mortality and possibly low recruitment could underlie the apparent local decline.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/mms.12008
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution
ISSN:	08240469
Date made live:	03 Mar 2014 14:32 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/505148

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1111/mms.12008

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution

ISSN:

08240469

Date made live:

03 Mar 2014 14:32 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/505148