Goldsworthy SD, Angelakis N, Kirkwood R, Connell SD, Grammer GL, Holman D, Furley D (2024). Mapping critical Australian sea lion habitat to assess ecological value and risks to population recovery. Report to the National Environmental Science Program. South Australia Research and Development Institute (Aquatic and Livestock Sciences).
Overview
This technical report presents findings of NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 2.6. This pilot study evaluated the reliability and feasibility of new state-of-the-art animal-borne cameras, combined with tracking and movement loggers to identify, and map seabed habitats used by the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). Cameras and tracking instruments were deployed on adult female sea lions at two sites in South Australia. From eight deployments, almost 80 hours of video footage across 560km of seabed was recorded. The footage highlighted important relationships between sea lions and their marine environment, providing new information on their habitat use, foraging behaviours, and prey species. The method provides a novel and cost-effective way to explore large areas of unmapped seabed and locate valuable sea lion habitat, complementing existing seabed surveys methods. The report provides relevant and accessible information for policy makers, managers, researchers, and the public, and will inform conservation and management strategies for the species, help identify threats, and assist in marine park planning and management.
