For the first time in more than a century, Otago\u2019s New Zealand sea lion\/pakake population has produced more than 35 pups, putting it officially on track to breeding colony status.<\/p>\n
The Department of Conservation made the announcement yesterday, sparking widespread celebration among conservation stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Although some fishing interests responded more cautiously to the news, key industry body Seafood NZ also expressed pleasure at the growth in sea lion numbers.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Seafood NZ is delighted to see the mainland population of New Zealand sea lions continue to grow.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The rebuilding of this sea lion population was one of the objectives in the Sea Lion Threat Management Plan, so this is welcome news.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Sea lions are a part of the marine environment and while they eat some of the fish that we also catch, the industry manages our fisheries with the ecosystem in mind,\u2019\u2019 a spokeswoman said.<\/p>\n
To be considered a breeding colony, at least 35 pups must be born for five consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n
Doc said, if this occurred, it would give Otago the first breeding colony on mainland New Zealand, excluding Stewart Island\/Rakiura, for 150 years.<\/p>\n
Te R\u016bnaka o \u014ct\u0101kou chief executive Nadia Wesley-Smith said it was an important milestone for the local sea lion population.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This represents a significant amount of mahi from many dedicated wh\u0101nau and members of our wider \u014ctepoti community.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018While we celebrate this occasion, we continue to strengthen ongoing conservation efforts …\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Doc Coastal Otago biodiversity ranger Moss Thompson said it was a milestone more than 30 years in the making.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This is an incredible success story and reflects the … work by mana whenua, conservationists and the Otago community who have all championed the return of this taoka species to our coastlines.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018While it\u2019s not a guarantee of what might come in years to follow, it\u2019s a significant win for a species that was almost lost from the mainland entirely.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Recreational fishing organisation Fish Mainland Southland regional director Alan Key expressed concerns regarding the overlap of people with what could sometimes be an \u2018\u2018aggressive\u2019\u2019 species.<\/p>\n
Although he was not \u2018\u2018anti-sea lion\u2019\u2019, all natural populations required careful management to balance competing needs, Mr Key said.<\/p>\n
Mainland growth could be due to population overflow elsewhere, as they sought more space and resources, he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018There are those who are anti-sea lion within recreational and commercial fishing, but I don\u2019t see [sea lions] as an issue in that respect.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018What we have seen, even recently, is an increase in aggressive incidents between people and sea lions and that problem will only grow as the mainland population grows.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
New Zealand Sea Lion Trust chairman Shaun McConkey was thrilled about the record number of pups this season.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018As the numbers continue to increase, we will need to work out ways to share our coastlines with these large, charismatic taoka,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
The occasionally \u2018\u2018boisterous\u2019\u2019 animals needed to be treated with care.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Sea lions, especially pups, may approach vehicles or people, or rest in unexpected places.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Slow down when driving along coastal roads and always keep dogs under control.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018You never know what might be around the corner.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Pakake are among the rarest sea lion species in the world.<\/p>\n
Once widespread across South Island coastlines and parts of the North Island, the species began to decline due to hunting by M\u0101ori and later European settlers.<\/p>\n
By the early 20th century, they were functionally extinct on mainland New Zealand.<\/p>\n
That changed in 1993, when a single female, known as \u2018\u2018Mum\u2019\u2019, became the first New Zealand sea lion in more than 100 years to give birth on the mainland \u2014 in Otago.<\/p>\n
The main breeding colonies on Campbell and Auckland Islands in the New Zealand subantarctic continue to experience serious population declines.<\/p>\n