The tourist experience of New Zealand fur seals along the Kaikoura coast, New Zealand

Abstract

This paper reports on research undertaken as part of a programme addressing the effects of tourism in Kaikoura, New Zealand. This study focused on tourists' encounters with the New Zealand fur seal, a protected species, along the Kaikoura coastline. The study combined biological and social science methods to investigate the effects of tourists on the seals and the nature of the tourists' experience with seals. The social science or 'tourist' component of this study is reported here. It was found that some people are behaving inappropriately near seals, risking their own safety as well as disturbing seals. Current measures to inform and restrict tourists ' interaction with seals (signage, fences) are not working. Visitors did not perceive their impacts and education is suggested as the most fruitful means to resolve the problem. No one type of tourist was acting inappropriately; it appears to be an issue common to all types of visitor.