Autumn diet of recolonising female New Zealand sea lions based at Otago Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

Augé, A. A., Davis, L. S., Lalas, C., and Chilvers, B. L. (2012) Autumn diet of recolonising female New Zealand sea lions based at Otago Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 46 (1). pp. 97-110.

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Abstract

New Zealand (NZ) sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) are slowly recolonising the Otago coast, South Island, New Zealand. The increase in their numbers may lead to resource competition with other marine predators and fisheries. We determined the diet of female NZ sea lions at Otago during autumn. In total, 571 scats and 110 regurgitations were collected on Otago Peninsula during 2008 and 2009. Barracouta (Thyrsites atun) and jack mackerel (Trachurus sp.) were the two main prey species and accounted for 26% and 31% of the reconstituted biomass, respectively. This was consistent between two years. Only five other species contributed > 5% of the diet by biomass in either year. Prey species are all found on the narrow continental shelf surrounding Otago Peninsula. The main prey species of Otago NZ sea lions may be of higher energy content than prey in the Auckland Islands (remnant breeding area). Resource overlap with other marine predators and fisheries appears to occur around Otago Peninsula. A marine trophic model of the area off Otago Peninsula would help understanding potential competition between marine predators and fisheries in this area.

Item ID: 24082
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1175-8805
Funders: University ot Otago
Date Deposited: 05 Dec 2012 22:32
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060801 Animal Behaviour @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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