Marine mammals publications

Introduction

Browse publications about New Zealand's marine mammals.

    The conservation of whales in the 21st century

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

    Diet of fur seals at Tonga Island, Abel Tasman National Park

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

    Doubtful Sound marine mammal (and other wildlife) code of management

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

    Estimating the abundance and effective population size of Māui dolphins 2015-2016

    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.

    Estimating the abundance and effective population size of Māui dolphins 2020-2021

    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.

    Fiordland bottlenose dolphin reports

    View reports on health assessments and population monitoring surveys on the Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland.

    Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) satellite tagging, health and genetic assessment project

    This 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 (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui).

    Marine Mammal Action Plan for 2005-2010

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

    Marine mammals count brochure

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

    Marine mammals of New Zealand poster

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

    NZ sea lion species management plan: 2009-2014

    The 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.

    Threat Management Plan for Hector's and Māui dolphin

    The threat management plan is a planning framework to manage human-caused threats to Hector’s and Māui dolphins.

    Whales in the South Pacific

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

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute collaboration projects

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

    Back to top