Dive Pacific Iss 171 Oct- Nov 2019

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SOUNDINGS LOCAL NEWS New protections for bottlenose dolphins introduced New permits to reduce viewing and interaction time with bottlenose dolphins came into effect for commercial operators in Northland on 1 July 2019. They also limit the locations for these activities and prohibit swimming with bottlenose dolphins. Research shows interaction with bottlenose dolphins is significantly impacting on the population’s resting and feeding behaviour Two sightings of a Hectors Dolphin, likely to be the same dolphin, were reported in August near Napier Port and verified with a photo. “It’s really exciting that a Hector’s dolphin has been spotted in this area because they’re generally only found in the South Island,” said Hannah Hendriks, a Marine Technical Advisor for DOC. Hector’s dolphins grow to about 1.5m, have a rounded black dorsal fin and their bodies are a grey colour, with white and black and that people are “loving the dolphins too much”. The local Bay of Islands population has fallen by 66% since 1999 to a core group of only 19 dolphins frequently visiting the Bay of Islands now, DOC reports. The latest research shows a 75% calf mortality rate, the highest in New Zealand, internationally or in captivity. A moratorium in place since 2009 Hectors dolphin sighted near Napier markings and a short snout. means permits for viewing whales and dolphins in the region have been restricted to five permit holders operating commercial vessels. Currently four permit holders run out of the Bay of Islands and one out of Tutukaka. In addition to the tighter permit conditions, DOC says it is investigating a proposal to create a marine mammal sanctuary for the Bay of Islands. Reporting a sighting is particularly valuable for Hector’s dolphins which are unique to New Zealand because there are so few of them, just an estimated 15,000. The sightings come after a Hector’s dolphin was photographed in the eastern Bay of Plenty in May this year. Hectors Dolphin Reporting a sighting is easy and can be done online or the Hector’s dolphin sightings app, or via the 24 hour DOC hotline. 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Photos: NIWA Scientists study eels by moonlight “You’re standing in the surf at night, there’s no lights and you can’t see what you’re trying to catch.” says freshwater fish ecologist Dr Eimear Egan Dr Egan is leading a project to find out more about the mysterious marine lives of longfin and shortfin eels. She wants to find out NIWA researchers sample glass eels at the mouth of the Rangitāiki River to find out where the fish come from and how they get to New Zealand's coast. where their larvae come from, and whether shortfin and longfin eels use different spawning grounds and ocean currents to get here. When the larvae near the coast they turn into what are known as glass eels about 6cm long. It’s not until they enter freshwater that they change colour and become elvers (juvenile eels). “The bulk of them usually arrive two hours after sunset and we will be sampling when there are new and full moons and when the tides are at their highest,” she says. They are targeting the Rangitāiki, Grey and Ashley rivers in the South Island. The glass eels will have their earbones or otoliths extracted to assess vital Glass eels information on growth rates, hatch dates, age and environmental history. “Ear bones can tell us so much information about the environment a fish experiences. Each day they add a layer of calcium carbonate which is almost like keeping a diary of their lives,” Dr Egan said. In June, NIWA scientists tagged female longfin eels before they left New Zealand in a related project to pinpoint their spawning grounds, which is most likely to be in a large area between Tonga and New Caledonia. 10 Dive New Zealand | Dive Pacific
Diving Fiordland! The great Jacques Cousteau placed Fiordland in his Top 10 destinations for diving! We’ve had dive photo journalists rate it much higher than that with one recently placing it ‘if not the best, then in his top three’. Scenic diving can be amazing. Though the waters are cool the visibility can be extreme - over 40m visibility occurs regularly. The internal waters of Fiordland with their micro-habitats are interestingly different to the waters of the coast, or entrances where fish life abounds; and the colours are diverse so even an inexpensive camera can get awesome photos when you dive in Fiordland. There’s the odd wreck to be explored too, and wall dives that trigger vertigo. And there’s always plenty of kai Moana to gratify the appetite at the end of a busy day. Fiordland Expeditions have been operating throughout Fiordland for 15 years and are well versed on a range of sites to be explored. If you are keen to tick this one off your bucket list, then contact us today. We’d love to discuss how we can tailor a trip to meet your own specific desires. Call us on 0508 888 656 or check out: FiordlandExpeditions.co.nz Fiordland – a diver’s paradise A bucket list destination Your multi-day live-aboard charters can comprise: • Live-aboard charters all year round • Two vessels, both with own compressors, tanks, weights and belts • Fully catered (except alcohol) • Experienced dive crew Photography by Darryl Torckler Phone 0508 888 656 or +64 3 249 9005 Email charters@fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz www.dive-pacific.com 11
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Dive Pacific Iss 171 Oct- Nov 2019

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