Massey Documents by Type

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Understanding common dolphin and Australasian gannet feeding associations from nutritional and ethological perspectives
(Oxford University Press on behalf of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, 2022-09-01) Stockin KA; Amiot C; Meynier L; Purvin C; Machovsky-Capuska GE
Prey detection and subsequent capture is considered a major hypothesis to explain feeding associations between common dolphins and Australasian gannets. However, a current lack of insight on nutritional strategies with respect to foraging behaviours of both species has until now, prevented any detailed understanding of this conspecific relationship. Here we combine stomach content analysis (SCA), nutritional composition of prey, a multidimensional nutritional niche framework (MNNF) and videography to provide a holistic dietary, nutritional, and behavioural assessment of the feeding association between dolphins and gannets in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Dolphins consumed ten prey species, including grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) as the most representative by wet mass (33.4%). Gannets preyed upon six species, with pilchards (Sardinops pilchardus) contributing most of the diet by wet mass (32.4%) to their diet. Both predators jointly preyed upon pilchard, jack mackerel (Trachurus spp.), arrow squid (genus Nototodarus), and anchovy (Engraulis australis). Accordingly, the MNNF revealed a moderate overlap in the prey composition niche (0.42) and realized nutritional niche (0.52) between dolphins and gannets. This suggests that both predators coexist in a similar nutritional space, while simultaneously reducing interspecific competition and maximizing the success of both encountering and exploiting patchily distributed prey. Behavioural analysis further indicated that dolphin and gannets feeding associations are likely to be mutually beneficial, with a carouselling foraging strategy and larger pod sizes of dolphins, influencing the diving altitude of gannets. Our approach provides a new, more holistic understanding of this iconic foraging relationship, which until now has been poorly understood.
The ecology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Massey University, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2018) Outhwaite, Blair R.
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are one of the most studied cetacean species in the world. In New Zealand, this species is classified as Nationally Endangered and studies are generally limited to just a few known core areas. Herein, I examine the use of social media in citizen science as a means of collecting occurrence data of bottlenose dolphins in the inner Hauraki Gulf. A dedicated research vessel was employed to verify data collected by citizen scientists. This study also investigated the habitat selection of bottlenose dolphins at Great Barrier Island, an area only recently described for its importance to the north-eastern North Island population. Data collected for a behavioural budget and whistle repertoire were recorded on a dedicated research vessel with the aim of understanding habitat selection. Environmental variables were used to model behavioural states in order to determine how habitats were utilised by the dolphins. The whistle repertoire was assessed to understand how it correlated with behavioural states and group dynamics. A total of 260 sightings of bottlenose dolphins were reported by citizen scientists between April 2015 and July 2016. Only 42 of these were independent reports. Of the total number of reports, 73.5% did not identify a dolphin species. Citizen scientists identified three species of cetacean. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) were often reported correctly, however all five reports of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were misidentified, and 33.3% (n=5) of the reports identifying bottlenose dolphin were either unconfirmed or misclassified. Researchers’ verifying the identity of the species reported was the most useful method of confirming citizen science reports in this study (34.8%). Citizen scientists failed to detect dolphins on only three occasions that the research vessel or platform of opportunity did. Yet, citizen scientists were able to detect bottlenose dolphins more often than either the research vessel or platform of opportunity. The number of independent citizen science reports, research vessel encounters and platform of opportunity encounters for bottlenose dolphins were similar over each austral season. Notably, only the platform of opportunity had encounters over summer, both of which were in deeper water, outside of the study area. Bottlenose dolphin group size was often underestimated by citizen scientists in this study, though rigid comparisons were not possible for group size or behavioural state due to small sample sizes. The proportion of total reports varied temporally between seasons, and was highest in the mornings for autumn and winter, but peaked during the afternoons in spring. Bottlenose dolphins did not appear to use the study area frequently and were usually recorded travelling. The majority of behavioural observations at Great Barrier Island were made during winter and spring. Bottlenose dolphins were recorded between 13.5 and 24.1°C and in depths of 1.8 to 55.3m. The largest group sizes were recorded in autumn while the smallest group sizes were recorded most often in spring and summer. While the largest group sizes were recorded in the warmest sea surface temperatures and greatest depths, there was no significant difference between group size categories. Resting made up the largest proportion of the behavioural budget (32.1%), while foraging (8.2%) and socialising (9%) were rarely recorded. The models predicted that the behavioural budgets at Great Barrier Island were determined primarily by abiotic factors (e.g. depths and sea surface temperature). The mean whistle rate, calculated as the number of whistles per minute per dolphin, recorded at Great Barrier Island for bottlenose dolphins was 0.50 (SD=0.53) and the highest whistle rate was recording during foraging (1.17, SD=0.98). There was no significant difference in whistle rates between group size categories. Whistles recorded lasted on average 0.84s (SD=0.52), with a mean frequency of 11.6kHz (SD=2.34). The parameters with the highest variation were the number of inflection points, length, and frequency range of whistles. The Ascending whistle type was the most commonly recorded, and particular whistle types were correlated to behavioural state and group size category. This study represents the first instance that citizen science utilised social media in the Hauraki Gulf and suggests there is potential for continued monitoring of bottlenose dolphins with citizen science, if recommendations are applied. It also presents the first behavioural budget and whistle repertoire for bottlenose dolphins at Great Barrier Island. This study reported a unique behavioural budget and acoustic parameters that imply its importance for the north-eastern North Island population. Continued monitoring of this population is recommended to ensure this population is managed appropriately.
Matching nature : integrated coastal zone management in the Hauraki Gulf : a thesis presented in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning, Massey University
(Massey University, 1999) Cooper, Nicholas R
This thesis aims to assess characteristics for a framework of ICZM as a basis for an analysis of coastal management in New Zealand using the Hauraki Gulf as a case study. This would determine whether efficient, equitable and effective policy and environmental outcomes are occurring amongst different organisations and stakeholders. Research design followed an action research methodology. A literature review relating to various aspects of ICZM has been compiled and summarised into criteria for application to coastal management in the Hauraki Gulf. Interviews were carried out with key stakeholders associated with policy and implementation in the Gulf. The interviews are analysed by evaluating change based on the theoretical criteria in three areas: target groups, innovative organisations, and the interactive setting. This has allowed a framework to be developed and subsequently sent to interview participants for review. The conclusions for the thesis concern issues associated with achieving ICZM for the Hauraki Gulf and the applicability of an ICZM based framework. Issues relate to lack of clarity, interpretation of roles, relationship building, education and promoting a culture change, cynicism about integrated management based on statutory interpretation of roles, bureaucratic interactions between central, regional and local government agencies as disincentives for effective ICZM. A process framework and recommendations have been developed to enhance stakeholder input into coastal management and the first iteration has highlighted a need for further simplification.

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