Countrywide whale and dolphin headcount to track mammal migration

Marine mammal enthusiasts are encouraged join the fifth annual countrywide whale and dolphin count as it kicks off this Matariki weekend.

The idea is to get whānau to "elevated coastal areas and stare out to sea for a couple of hours" to spot as many variants of whales and dolphins as possible, using what organiser Christine Rose calls "citizen science".

Once species have been spotted, families are encouraged to report what they saw on the Whale and Dolphin Watch New Zealand Facebook page, to help marine scientists build patterns of where marine life are coming and going.

Rose said this is the best time to participate in the count, as "the peak time for [humpback whales] to be travelling north when hitting up to the tropics to feed and breathe and have their babies".

"It means that they're travelling pretty close to the coast and can quite often be seen from land, if we're lucky. There's no guarantees. But the more eyes on the sea, the more chances there are of seeing something."

South Island beach town Kaikōura is a great place to spot marine life, and are hosting its own whale count this weekend, but whānau across the country are encouraged to go coastal.

Rose said she came up with the idea after seeing a similar count happening in other places around the globe.

"There are these really strong networks [of people] around the country and the world where citizen science can be tapped into and build a body of knowledge through time."

Citizen science, Rose said, comes from "harnessing public enthusiasm" — citizens are present "when a lot of conventional scientists can't be there."

"Science itself benefits from having a whole lot of people using a fairly systematic and hopefully fairly robust way of collect collating and collecting information... anybody can take part in citizen science, and and it's a game that everybody can play."

Rose said the data can help build a snapshot both of this weekend in particular, but also to refer to throughout the next several years.

"We believe that it'll be really interesting in the future for researchers to analyse those trends that emerge through time — both in terms of the presence or absence of whales and dolphins on this weekend, the same weekend, every year through time, but also the social science element of people engaging with whale and dolphin spotting and being part of a community that celebrates the return of whales and dolphins."

The Department of Conservation (DOC) also use this information, with marine technical advisor Hannah Hendrix telling 1News: "Any sightings of marine mammals help us to understand what species are using our waters, where, and when. Sightings are added to DOC’s Marine Mammal Database which is used regularly by researchers and people conducting environmental impact assessments."

Rose said the count this weekend brings up important questions, particularly for coastal communities.

She also wonders what the information might lead to in the longer term — how such data may change relationships with coastal communities who see marine mammals in events such as strandings and how communities can build sympathetic and mutually supportive relationships with aquatic animals.

Rose welcomes all marine mammals spotted this weekend to be identified via the Facebook page, but said that any sightings of Māui and Hector’s dolphins sightings between Raglan and Wellington, or on the south or east coasts of the North Island should be reported to the DOC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Southern right whales sightings, regardless of where in the country they are located, should be reported to DOC also.

For anyone who fancies a closer look, think again. "The best whale and dolphin watching, the most responsible whale and dolphin watching is when the whale and dolphins don't even know that you're there," Rose said.

Hendrix said the survey is land-based and DOC has few safety concerns.

"DOC would just remind people about the rules for operating drones near marine mammals, keep 150m away horizontally. If people are getting out on the water, we request that people operate slowly around marine mammals, give them space, and let them decide how they want to interact – our 'Sharing Our Coasts' website has more information on the regulations."

She added: "It is illegal to swim with whales, including orca."

"All seals, sea lions, dolphins and whales are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978. It is an offence to harass, disturb, injure or kill marine mammals," the DOC website reads.

"It's important that we do not interfere with the whales and dolphins because that can lead to the decline — not just of the individuals, but of the whole pods and whole sub species," Rose said.

"So respect for marine mammals is requires us to take a hands off approach, so don't physically approach the whales and dolphins and don't jump in the water."

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