Responses of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, to anthropogenic activities in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia
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Published source details
Osterrieder S.K., Salgado Kent C. & Robinson R.W. (2017) Responses of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, to anthropogenic activities in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 27, 414-435.
Published source details Osterrieder S.K., Salgado Kent C. & Robinson R.W. (2017) Responses of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, to anthropogenic activities in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 27, 414-435.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Cease or prohibit activities that cause disturbance in sensitive areas for marine and freshwater mammals Action Link |
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Cease or prohibit activities that cause disturbance in sensitive areas for marine and freshwater mammals
A site comparison study in 2013–2014 of two beaches on islands in the Indian Ocean, Western Australia (Osterrieder et al. 2017) found that a beach where human access was prohibited had fewer Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea showing aggression or retreating compared to a beach where access was partly prohibited. The number of responses to vessels and people in which sea lions showed aggression (gaping or lunging) or retreated were lower at a beach where access was fully prohibited (aggression: 0 responses/h; retreated: 3 responses/h) than at a beach where access was partly prohibited (aggression: 14 responses/h; retreated: 21 responses/h). Less severe responses (e.g. sitting upright, lifting head, looking or entering the water) did not differ significantly between the two beaches (see original paper for data). Both beaches were sea lion haul-out sites designated as sanctuary zones. At one site, public access to the beach was fully prohibited, with viewing permitted from the water only via kayak or boat tours. At the other site, public access was permitted to part of the beach and prohibited in all other areas. Individual responses of sea lions to vessels and people were recorded by observers or remote live video cameras overlooking each of the two sites for a total of 134–142 h during 19–20 days in November–April 2013/2014.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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