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Marine Mammal Code of Conduct
Policy - Activity in the vicinity of whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions shall at all times be moderated, and sensitive to the disposition of the mammals (e.g. if the animals want to move away, attempts should not be made to entice them back or follow them). The operator shall demonstrate a good knowledge of the species and their conservation, and shall brief clients on proper conduct prior to each trip.
- Guides should be familiar with ecological and marine mammal's aspects, and have additional displays and written material available to participants. This information should reflect a respect for the dignity of these animals as wild creatures and avoid ridicule.
- All operations should consider contributing a formal research into the ecology and conservation of marine mammals. Items to include will be:
- Identification of particular species
- Quantify count of species in a particular area
- Reports of injured or ill effected mammals or ecological environments
- Report instances where seals are ensnared in plastic strapping or netting to the local office of the DOC as soon as possible after sighting. This will facilitate the successful removal of this material by DOC staff and trained volunteers.
- Where clients are either walking or swimming near marine mammals there should be a maximum of 10-12 clients per guide.
- All operations should ensure that the activities do not harass or disturb wildlife other than marine mammals.
Kayak Based Operation Policy - Guides must exercise special caution when approaching pods containing juvenile dolphins.
- Guides and clients should avoid getting between a mother and her calf.
- Guides and clients should not approach closer than 10 meters to shore where seals are known to be present.
- Swimmers must not climb onto rocks where seals are known to be, except in an emergency.
- Operators should guide clients away from "reluctant" dolphin pods or individuals, or other marine mammals that are not attracted by the presence of a kayak. Should there be no response from any one of the groups, a restriction of three approaches applies.
Shore Based Operation Policy - Where several persons approaching or pass a fur seal or colony or a New Zealand sea lion or colony, they shall move together in a close group or one after the other, all taking the same route.
- All persons shall approach fur seals or colonies by walking along the upper shore, to allow the seals free access to the sea.
- All persons shall move no faster than walking pace within 100 meters of any seal, except in an emergency.
- All persons must not walk through fur seal colonies. If the situation allows persons to pass through a colony by walking along the upper shore, operators shall ensure that all persons walk directly, while keeping a low profile.
- No persons shall approach within 5 m of a fur seal, except during the breeding season when no person shall approach closer than 10m (from Nov1 through to Jan 31.) and should keep a greater distance of the animal displays any fright or flight tendency e.g. barking or moving away.
- Particular care should be taken during the breeding season when bull seals can be very aggressive and vulnerable young pups are present.
- No person shall approach within 10m of any other species of seal, including New Zealand sea lion, Southern elephant seal or Leopards seal.
- New Zealand sea lions behave differently in-groups than singly. Where approaching a single animal that is lying down (prone) people should approach no closer than 10m. Where a single animal is sitting up, walking or coming ashore, or there is more than one sea lion present then a distance of 20m should be observed.
- No person shall attempt to touch or hit any seal with any object, or throw any object in the direction of any seal.
- No attempt should be made by any persons to encourage (by any means) seals of any species, to set up such as for purpose of talking photos, as this constitutes disturbance.
- Guides should direct members of the group not to raise their voices unnecessarily, resulting in fright or disturbance to the animals.
- No dogs should be allowed on any commercial marine operations to view marine mammals.
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