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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 61(6)

Continued population recovery by Australian fur seals

Roger Kirkwood A F , David Pemberton B , Rosemary Gales B , Andrew J. Hoskins C , Tony Mitchell D , Peter D. Shaughnessy E and John P. Y. Arnould C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, PO Box 97, Cowes, Vic. 3922, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

C School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

D Department of Sustainability and the Environment, 171 Nicholson St, Orbost, Vic. 3888, Australia.

E South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: rkirkwood@penguins.org.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 61(6) 695-701 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF09213
Submitted: 28 August 2009  Accepted: 14 December 2009   Published: 25 June 2010

Abstract

Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) are conspicuous, top-level predators in coastal waters of south-eastern Australia that were over-harvested during the 1800s and have had a delayed recovery. A previous species-wide estimate of live pups in 2002 recorded a near-doubling of annual pup production and a 5% annual growth rate since the 1980s. To determine if pup production increased after 2002, we estimated live pup numbers in 2007. Pups were recorded at 20 locations: 10 previously known colonies, three newly recognised colonies and seven haul-out sites where pups are occasionally born. Two colonies adjacent to the Victorian coast accounted for 51% of live pups estimated: Seal Rocks (5660 pups, 25.9%) and Lady Julia Percy Island (5574 pups, 25.5%). Although some colonies were up and some were down in pup numbers, the 2007 total of 21 882 ± 187 (s.e.) live pups did not differ significantly from a recalculated estimate of 21 545 ± 184 in 2002, suggesting little change to overall population size. However, the colonisation of three new sites between 2002 and 2007 indicates population recovery has continued.

Additional keywords: Arctocephalus pusillus, population status, pups born.


Acknowledgements

For assistance in the field, we thank all the boat drivers and field workers, including Richard Hill and Joe Austin for counts at Cape Bridgewater, and Darryl Stafford of Stanley Seal Cruises for counts at Bull Rock. We also thank the journal editor and two anonymous referees whose comments and suggestions greatly enhanced the final presentation. Research was conducted under animal ethics permits 2.2007 from the Phillip Island Nature Park AEEC, A34/2004 from Deakin University AWC and 16/2006–07 from Tasmanian DPIPWE AEC, and Wildlife Research Permits 10004150 and 10003856 from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and scientific permits issued by DPIWE. The project was co-funded by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Phillip Island Nature Parks, the Princess Melikoff Marine Mammal Conservation Trust, and the Australian Research Council.


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