Large dolphin pod gets cameras rolling and rules reminder

Friday, 14 January 2022

A large pod of dolphins was filmed by a drone in Tasman Bay, near the entrance to the Abel Tasman National Park.

A large pod of dolphins frolicking in Tasman Bay made for spectacular drone footage, but the encounter has prompted a warning from the Department of Conservation.

The footage was captured on a Mārahau resident’s drone, near the Abel Tasman National Park gateway.

The resident, who Stuff agreed not to name, said dolphin sightings were quite common in Tasman Bay.

“It was a massive pod. They do come here quite regularly. Less than a month ago, there were orca in the bay.”

He said when the pod was spotted on Wednesday afternoon it was “a beautiful day, and really clear”.

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His drone travelled more than three kilometres to reach the scene, where it captured 10 minutes of leaping dolphins while a jet ski with two people on it also filmed the pod.

“I think they were having fun, they were certainly playing around with the jet ski.”

However, Department of Conservation (DOC) staff had concerns over the footage.

DOC media and communications advisor Trish Grant said the jet ski and drone were operating too close to the marine mammals, identified as bottlenose dolphins.

She said the jet ski was “too close, going too fast, and cutting through the dolphins”.

“We ask that when people see dolphins, seals and whales they treat them with respect while enjoying the encounter. Give them space and follow the rules in place to protect marine mammals and avoid them being disturbed, alarmed or stressed.”

Rules for boating or at sea near marine mammals include travelling no faster than idle or “no wake” speed within 300 metres, ensure there are no more than three vessels within 300m, including any aircraft, approach from a direction that is parallel and slightly to the rear, and do not obstruct any paths or cut through groups.

Grant said flying drones near marine life could be “highly disturbing for them” and there were strict rules to follow including flying no closer than 150m horizontally from a point directly above any marine mammal.

Other regulations included not making any sudden or repeated change in speed or direction, taking off at least 100m from any marine mammal on the shore or the land and keeping at least 50m from any other drone.

It is an offence to disturb or harrass marine mammals, punishable by fines.