Ambitious research project on subantarctic islands wraps up
The Department of Conservation has completed its biggest and “most ambitious” marine fieldwork season, collecting valuable information on native species.
For the first time, rangers, scientists, independent researchers and other staff have been stationed on all five of New Zealand’s subantarctic island groups: Bounty Island, Antipodes Island, Snares Island, the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island.
DOC marine bycatch and threats manager Kris Ramm said most of the work focused on filling “knowledge gaps” about species living on the islands, as well as fixing important field infrastructure.
“The subantarctic islands are remote and hard to reach; undertaking work down there requires a lot of careful co-ordination.”
Ramm said the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and other external factors had impacted the work programme on the islands in recent years.
The islands, which were hundreds of kilometres to the south and southeast of New Zealand, were home to a range of rare species, such as the Antipodean and Gibson’s albatross, which bred nowhere else on the planet.
Other native inhabitants included the hoiho yellow-eyed penguin, and the New Zealand sea lion (pakake/whakahao).
“For many of these species, the subantarctic regions represents their last stronghold.
“It’s important we understand the threats and challenges they face so we can better focus our efforts.”
The current research and monitoring programme helped DOC to understand the health of these vulnerable species, Ramm said.
Some of the programmes, such as the work on Antipodean albatrosses, had being going on for decades.
Ramm said it would take some time to analyse the data collected from this year’s season but there did seem to be trends emerging.
There had been a slight increase in sea lion pups on the Auckland Islands compared to 2023’s low.
“On Campbell Island, pup mortality continues to be high with up to 89% of sea lions dying in their first few weeks of life.”
DOC was unsure why this was happening, but it appeared many of the pups were dying from a combination of exposure and starvation.
The number of southern royal albatrosses also appeared to have declined and teams were still working through “exact population estimates”, Ramm said.
Samples were also collected for baseline monitoring of wildlife health which Otago University would test for pathogens such as avian influenza viruses.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza had not been detected in the New Zealand subantarctic region or Oceania, however it had been reported on islands in the subantarctic Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic Peninsula in recent months.
Repair work to key field infrastructure and building maintenance was also a priority throughout the season.
“It takes a lot of people and coordination to pull off a field season in an area as remote as the New Zealand Subantarctic and it was great to have the support of so many.”
DOC managed the islands, which were categorised as national nature reserves, the highest possible conservation status.
The islands had also been honoured with a World Heritage status, which meant they represented part of the world’s best natural heritage.