Fur-seal & Sea Lion Research in South Australia
There is very little information about the populations of sea-lions in South Australia. Some research has been done and the data shows that the Dangerous Reef population is increasing, The Pages population appears stable, and the population at Seal Bay is declining. There are over 40 breeding sites in South Australia; however, most are very small, producing fewer than 30 pups each breeding season.
Scientists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and SA Museum are researching the status and trends of a number of key breeding sites (both large and small) throughout South Australia. However, determining the number of pups born is difficult because breeding takes place over a long period and at different times of the year.
Other research is being done to assess the impact of threats (in particular fishing) and develop management strategies to reduce these threats. Ongoing research is being done to determine the key foraging habitats and main prey species of the fur-seals and sea-lions.
Fur-seal and sea-lion research:
- Assessment of the implications of interactions between fur seals and sea lions and the southern rock lobster and gillnet sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) in South Australia - Click for PDF
- Developing population monitoring protocols for Australian sea lions - Click for PDF
- A population monitoring and research program to assist management of the Australian sea lion population at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island - Click for PDF
- Population assessment of fur seals and sea lions at some colonies in South Australia, 2006-07 - Click for PDF
- Foraging ecology and diet analysis of Australian sea lions - Click for PDF
- Assessment of pup production and the maternal investment strategies of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea at Dangerous Reef in the 2006-07 breeding season - Click for PDF
- A risk-assessment approach to evaluating the significance of seal bycatch in two Australian fisheries - Click for PDF
- Dietary analysis of regurgitates and stomach samples from free-livingAustralian sea lions - Click for PDF
- Louse infestations of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea - Click for PDF
- Mark-Recapture Estimates of Pup Production for the Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea) at Seal Bay Conservation Park, South Australia - Click for PDF
- Trends in Abundance of Australian Sea Lions, Neophoca cinerea, at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia - Click for PDF