Marine Megafauna Research Group

We are a research group based out of the University of Otago that investigates the biology, ecology and conservation of New Zealand's marine megafauna

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

We're back from a recent trip to Fiordland & would like to introduce you to the latest addition to the Doubtful bottlenose dolphin pod: 'Sesame'. This calf was born this summer to 'SN4' who we have sighted in the Patea-Doubtful Sound complex since the project began in 1990!

[William Carome @willcarome]

Stoked to announce the publication of our paper "A long-term shift in the summer distribution of Hector’s dolphins is correlated with an increase in cruise ship tourism" in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems @MMRG_UoO

Check it out: https://t.co/KguTdPyJiA

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

We have lots of awesome research projects ongoing around Aotearoa. Swipe to see which species we are studying and where! https://t.co/Mi5v0z2JyC

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

While there are previous sightings of Tasmacetus shepherdi in the Tasman sea on the west coast of Aotearoa, this sighting was not expected!

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

Earlier this month, we were onboard with the @docgovtnz to monitor bottlenose dolphins in the Tamatea-Dusky complex, and to service passive acoustic gear listening for them in neighbouring fiords. Transiting the coast, we sighted three Shepherd's beaked whales

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population (Eubalaena glacialis) has experienced multiple periods of decreased reproduction within its observable history, which have played a role in the overall decline of the species.... @leahmcrowe

https://t.co/cHCOCj3iHy

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

It's been a busy June! Here are a few recent OA publications members of our lab group have contributed to:

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

identification is an important tool in the conservation management of endangered species, and recent developments in artificial intelligence are revolutionizing existing workflows to identify individual animals...

https://t.co/texmda6gbO

[Nicholas W Daudt @NWDaudt]

How lucky am I to do fieldwork in the #WorldOceansDay in such a special place as off the Otago coast in Aotearoa New Zealand?

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

Winter #fieldwork has begun for our #research group! Starting with surveys for Hector's #Dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) around Ōtepoti-Dunedin. This population is small (around 42 individuals), and with a more diffuse winter #distribution are proving difficult to find!

[Marine Science Otago @MarineOtago]

PhD candidate Leah is currently exploring population dynamics, growth-rates, and distribution of bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland! Read about her awesome journey into marine science and research here: https://t.co/gH3F016S0V

@MMRG_UoO
@leahmcrowe
@otago

[Flying Penguin Force @flying_force]

Now all type-set, looking pretty, with a #TeReo abstract, and fully #OA! Read all about our latest work!
#seabird #conservation #translocation #ornithology

[Tawaki Project @TawakiProject]

Meet the Tawaki Project squadron... ready for some serious penguin survey action this summer. #TopGun

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

Basking sharks, sea snakes, seabirds... do dolphins and whales target them, too?

https://t.co/R3ZmUTX8n5

[Lilian Lieber @LilianLieber]

@NWDaudt @BrydenCentre_EU @AlexNimmoSmith @PlymUni @RolandLangrock @unibielefeld Thank you🙏Yes, when there's plenty of biological material, #baskingsharks can be seen foraging in convergent slicks, also sea snakes and phalaropes. It combination with low winds, slicks can be very obvious. There's also great papers on slicks as pelagic nurseries.

[Marine Megafauna Research Group @MMRG_UoO]

Surface slicks influencing marine megafauna distribution -- another #oceanographic feature to look at when surveying #megafauna at-sea! 🌊👁️

[Nicholas W Daudt @NWDaudt]

What a fantastic work at #WSTC8 #ForSesh by @LilianLieber

The use of #drones for studying #seabird fine-scale foraging behaviour in surface slicks

[David Sims @TheSimsLab]

This wk's @PNASNews paper on whale #shark collision risk from #shipping was the work of 69 scientists in 44 institutes across 18 countries - led by the brilliant @FreyaWomersley (see photo!) as part of #GlobalSharkMovementProject - amazing collaboration
https://t.co/Rjvmw3tQ6C

[Robert Smith @robowainsmith]

Native sea sponges in #Fiordland national park have experienced a mass bleaching event during ongoing #marineheatwave on west coast South Island NZ. James Bell @WellingtonUni, Rebecca McLeod @Becs_McLeod and I spoke to RNZ about this concerning finding https://t.co/xcPr08NDtg