The environmental effects of tourism are of interest not only to companies with a long-term economic interest in tourism, but also to the public at large. Research on the behaviour, ecology and distribution of marine mammals in the presence and absence of boats and swimmers will help to ensure the sustainability of marine mammal tourism, and to safeguard the public interest in the conservation of these animals.   Whale watching and sperm whales off Kaikoura Tourism and bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland Tourism and Hector's dolphins                                         Impacts of whale watching on sperm whales off Kaikoura The Department of Conservation (DoC) has numerous applications for whale watching permits on which it has to make a decision. DoC commissioned us to carry out a study to assess these impacts before making its decision. We investigated the behaviour and sounds made by sperm whales in the presence and absence of boats, and studied their abundance and distribution. We were able to compare these data with a large dataset collected since 1990, which made it possible to study potential long-term changes in behaviour and/or distribution. We also co-operated with the local whale watching business to increase the educational value of the whale watching experience. We contributed to public education through a series of posters, brochures and spoken presentations. The research showed changes in breathing rate and behaviour, depending on whether whale watching boats were present or absent. For example, whales started making echolocation clicks more quickly after a dive at which boats were present. The number of blows per surfacing increased and the time interval between blows decreased. They made more direction changes and carried out fewer breaches and other aerial behaviours when boats or planes were present. On an average summer's day, a resident sperm whale found close to shore off Kaikoura would expect to be accompanied by at least one whale watching boat on approximately 40% of its surfacings. On the basis of this research, we recommended that the current number of whale watching trips not be increased. In response, the Department of Conservation placed a 10 year moratorium on further whale watching permits for Kaikoura. Key researchers: Christoph Richter, Steve Dawson, Liz Slooten                                 The effects of tourism activities on bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland This study compared the responses of bottlenose dolphins to dolphin-watching operations in Doubtful and Milford Sounds. This study was part of a broader research program trying to find out how vulnerable different species are to the effects of various tourism activities. This research project was developed to meet the needs of tour operators to develop and maintain a sustainable tourism sector centered on marine mammals. In order to promote long-term tourism activities it is essential to determine which species and boat/engine combinations result in minimal disturbance while maintaining a high satisfaction level for tourists. The current level of interactions between tour boats and the resident dolphin population in Doubtful Sound are endangering the viability of this small, closed population. This is partly due to poor compliance with Marine Mammal Protection Regulations (66% of boat-dolphin interactions during 1999-2002 violated the official guidelines). Dolphins were observed to take evasive action when boats interact with them, including horizontal and vertical (diving) strategies. These evasive actions have an energetic cost, through behavioural disruption, increasing travel time, etc. Individuals that are already energetically challenged (e.g. pregnant and lactating females) appear to have a very low threshold for such disturbance. For example, calf survival in Doubtful Sound is very low. When the intensity of boat interactions reaches levels at which most individuals are disturbed, dolphins tend to leave the area. For example, the Milford Sound dolphins tend to avoid the area at times when boat traffic is particularly high and use other parts of their range. However, in Doubtful Sound boat exposure occurs over the full range of the local dolphin population. A Marine Mammal Sanctuary has been proposed to solve these problems by creating some areas where all boats can go, some areas for licenced tour operators and some areas set aside for the dolphins. The Department of Conservation is currently considering submissions on this proposal. Key researchers: David Lusseau, Liz Slooten and Rohan Currey               Tourism and Hector's dolphins New Zealand is experiencing rapid growth in ecotourism. This is reflected by the rapid increase in the number of permits issued by DoC for whale and dolphin watching. Hector's dolphins have a strictly coastal distribution and tend to be resident in small and well defined areas. They also readily approach boats, and are therefore very popular for dolphin watching tours. This study involves research at Motunau, where a dolphin watching operation is planned and in Akaroa Harbour. Emanuelle Martinez is co-supervised between Massey and Otago University. Previous research carried out through Otago University (by Lars Bejder, Erin Green and others) has also looked at Hector's dolphins and tourism in Porpoise Bay in the Catlins. Key researchers: Emanuelle Martinez, Liz Slooten