Blue whale research expedition set to sail off lower North Island

Friday, 26 January 2018

Baby blue whale filmed nursing off the Taranaki coast.

Research data gathered from a $60,000 blue whale study in the Cook Strait and South Taranaki Bight would be used towards a proposed marine mammal sanctuary off the Taranaki coast.

Department of Conservation, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, and Blue Planet Marine research staff would tag blue whales to understand better the size, health and migration patterns of the mammals.

A blue whale survey will start off the Taranaki coastline on Sunday

DOC general biodiversity deputy director Martin Kessick said the researchers want to gather as much information as they can.

'The more we can find out about this endangered species, the better,' he said.

Blue whales in the South Taranaki bight.

Blue whales were almost hunted to extinction more than 100 years ago, he said.

'They're slowly coming back, but will need much more help through local and international efforts.'

Kessick said DOC would use the research results towards a proposed marine mammal sanctuary off the South Taranaki coast.

Researchers hope to tag eight blue whales, expedition leader, and NIWA megafauna expert and marine ecologist, Dr Kim Goetz said.

'While the Taranaki region is thought to be an important foraging ground, we currently have little idea about how these whales use the region, including movements in and out of the area which has important management implications,' she said.

DOC had funded $60,000 towards the expedition for staff, and data analysis on the blue whales' movements.

The research expedition, which began on Sunday, was supported by OMV, University of Auckland, Australian Antarctic Division, and Western Work Boats, and the Pew Charitable Trust.