Observations on Seals at Montague Island, New South Wales

Abstract

Australian fur-seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New Zealand fur-seals A. forsteri haul-out (come ashore) at the north end of Montague Island. They were counted from study boats on 82 occasions during nine trips to the island, each of about one week, between November 1997 and November 1998, and in July 1999 and April 2000. Highest numbers were recorded between August and October 1998, and more animals were ashore during 1997 and 1998 than Irvine et al. (1997) observed in 1993 and 1994. The maximum number of A. p. doriferus recorded ashore in this study was 540 in October 1998, compared with a little over 300 observed in September 1993. There are reports of a few fur-seal pups on Montague Island. An A. forsteri pup born there in the 1999/2000 summer survived for at least 4 months. Nevertheless, the island should be considered as supporting haul-out sites rather than breeding sites. A Subantarctic fur-seal A. tropicalis and an Australian sea-lion Neophoca cinerea were also recorded during the study. Seven juvenile A. p. doriferus were observed ashore with manmade debris (straps or portions of a trawl net) around their necks. Fur-seals at Montague Island generate interest because of tourism and interactions with local fisheries. Trends in their abundance should be monitored annually in March, for which there is a long-term data set, and in October, when they are most abundant.