Publications by authors named "Mark B Orams"

Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge of the 21st century. Ultimately, extinctions of species are determined by birth and death rates; thus, conservation management of at-risk species is dependent on robust demographic data. In this study, data gathered from 381 (227 females, 154 males) long-finned pilot whales () that died in 14 stranding events on the New Zealand coast between 2006 and 2017 were used to construct the first age- and sex-specific life tables for the subspecies.

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Knowledge of population biological parameters can contribute to assessing the resilience of a population in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures. Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whales () are susceptible to high rates of live stranding-related mortality. However, the biological parameters of this population largely are unknown.

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Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga, is a well-established whale-watching destination in the South Pacific. Between July and October, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for Oceania humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The Tongan government allows tourist swimming activities with whales and tour operators strongly promote the practice of swimming-with-whales, focusing primarily on mother-calf pairs.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study focuses on how commercial tourism and recreational vessels affect common dolphins in the open ocean off New Zealand's coast, marking the first analysis of its kind in this habitat.
  • Observations revealed that dolphin foraging behavior was significantly disrupted by interacting vessels, leading to reduced foraging time and longer recovery periods after disruptions.
  • Despite relatively high compliance from commercial operators with regulations, instances of non-compliance were noted, including violations regarding vessel interactions and swimming with dolphin calves, highlighting a need for better conservation management.
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