Abundance and reproduction of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) along the West Coast of the Waikato region, New Zealand

Three sites at which New Zealand fur seals regularly haul out are known along the West Coast of the Waikato region on the North Island of New Zealand: Gannet Island, Albatross Point and Tirua Point. Several surveys have been carried out to determine the number of seals present at these sites, with the oldest record for Gannet Island dating back to 1958. An aerial survey carried out on 22 January 2007 revealed that at least four pups were born on Gannet Island, making this the most northern breeding colony in New Zealand. After discovery of breeding colonies at Cape Palliser in 1991 and the Sugarloaf Islands in 1992, New Zealand fur seals have expanded their breeding range further north in the last decades. The results further show that the total number of seals can vary significantly between different months of the year, indicating a strong seasonal oscillation. Based on the available data, it is not possible to determine if the total number of fur seals along the West Coast of the Waikato region is increasing.