Efficacy of voluntary mitigation in reducing harbor seal disturbance
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Published source details
Hoover-Miller A., Bishop A., Prewitt J., Conlon S., Jezierski C. & Armato P. (2013) Efficacy of voluntary mitigation in reducing harbor seal disturbance. Journal of Wildlife Management, 77, 689-700.
Published source details Hoover-Miller A., Bishop A., Prewitt J., Conlon S., Jezierski C. & Armato P. (2013) Efficacy of voluntary mitigation in reducing harbor seal disturbance. Journal of Wildlife Management, 77, 689-700.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Train tourist guides to minimize disturbance and promote marine and freshwater mammal conservation Action Link |
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Train tourist guides to minimize disturbance and promote marine and freshwater mammal conservation
A before-and-after study in 2002–2011 at a glacial lake in the Kenai Fjords, Alaska (Hoover-Miller et al. 2013) reported that after training was provided to kayak guides, fewer harbour seals Phoca vitulina were disturbed in the presence of kayaks than before training. Results are not based on assessments of statistical significance. Numbers of seal disturbances (seals moving from the ice into the water) each year during kayak excursions were lower after training was provided to guides (total 0–9 disturbances; 0–0.02 disturbances/hour) than before (total 0–30 disturbances; 0–0.05 disturbances/hour). Training was provided to tourist guides in 2006 to operate kayaks more carefully around seals (details reported in Jezierski 2009). Voluntary guidelines for viewing marine mammals from vessels were introduced in 2000, and multiple outreach activities took place in 2002–2011 (public presentations, workshops etc.). Remote-controlled video cameras recorded seal disturbances during kayak excursions in May–September 2002–2011. Observations were made during 81–92 days in each of four years before training (2002–2005) and during 70–92 days in each of six years after training (2006–2011).
Jezierski, C. M. (2009) The impact of sea kayak tourism and recreation on harbor seal behavior in Kenai Fjords National Park: integrating research with outreach, education, and tourism. Thesis, University of Alaska, USA.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
