Marine mammals publications

This is a summary of the New Zealand government’s policy on whales and whaling in 2004.

Find out about a 2008 study of the diet of fur seals at Tonga Island, Abel Tasman National Park.

Following research into the decline of the Doubtful Sound bottlenose dolphin population, DOC published the 2008 marine mammal (and other wildlife) code of management.

In 2015 DOC and Fisheries NZ collaborated with Auckland and Oregon State Universities to repeat an abundance estimate for Māui dolphins. The revised population estimate was carried out over the 2015 and 2016 summer seasons.

In 2020 DOC and Fisheries NZ collaborated with Auckland and Oregon State Universities to repeat an abundance estimate for Māui dolphins. The revised population estimate was carried out over the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons.

View population abundance reports for the Doubtful Sound/Patea and Tamatea/Dusky Sound bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland.

This 2005 report documents a trial that was intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of satellite tagging for potential application to the critically endangered Māui dolphin .

Review the Department of Conservation's 2004 Marine Mammal Action Plan for 2005-2010.

This 2019 brochure opens out into an A2 poster about key marine mammal species.

This 2019 poster has details of the different types of whales, dolphins and seals in New Zealand and where they are found.

The 2009 New Zealand sea lion species management plan: 2009–2014 (the Plan) provides a strategic framework to guide DOC in managing the recovery of the New Zealand sea lion to non-threatened status.

This 2007 booklet reviews the history of whales and whaling in the Pacific islands region.

DOC is collaborating with students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute to combine science and technology with social issues.