Permission sought for marine tours

East Coast Charters skipper John McLachlan is applying for a mammal watching permit from the Department of Conservation to take tours on his boat 'Vivienne J'. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

John McLachlan's company East Coast Contracting (Otago) Ltd has applied to the Department of Conservation for a marine mammal watching permit.

Mr McLachlan runs East Coast Charters out of Port Chalmers, and wants to offer marine mammal watching alongside his fishing charter business. In the long-term he would look at developing shore and water-based tours, he said.

Seeing whales, sea lions and seals was normal on his fishing charters but the permit would formalise it and allow him to advertise marine mammal watching tours, he said.

He anticipated taking about 18 people on day trips in his boat the Vivienne J down the harbour and around Taiaroa Head.

Long-term he hoped to develop tours to places such as Orokonui Ecosanctuary and then on his boat from Port Chalmers to Taiaroa Head to watch the birds and mammals.

There are nine permitted marine mammal operators in the Otago Conservancy, which includes the Catlins as far south as Curio Bay and the coastline north to the Waitaki River.

A Department of Conservation report, which gave approval for the application to be advertised, said no adverse effects had been noted from vessel-based commercial viewing of mammals along the Otago coast and in particular the seal colony at Pilots Beach and Taiaroa Head.

It suggested if a permit was granted conditions be set limiting viewing distances off seal rookeries, especially at Nugget Pt, a cap on daily trip numbers be set and on boat numbers viewing specific animals such as visiting whales.

Submissions on the permit close on June 11.

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz