The Ecology and Conservation Group
Dr Karen Stockin

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests are primarily in marine ecology and behaviour. I am particularly interested in marine mammals and their interactions with the ecosystem. Specific interests include the examination of anthropogenic impacts including tourism, pollution and fisheries. Prior to moving to New Zealand, I undertook a number of research projects in the United Kingdom examining the behaviour and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). For the past seven years, my research interests have primarily focused on the New Zealand common dolphin (Delphinus sp.).

In 2002, I instigated The New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP) as part of the Coastal-Marine Research Group at Massey University. The study originally focused on the occurrence, demographics and behavioural ecology of common dolphins in Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Boat-based surveys were conducted to undertake instantaneous scan sampling of focal dolphin groups. Environmental and behavioural data were used to describe habitat use and activity budgets. Data were used to examine potential impacts associated with tourism in this region. Photo-identification was conducted to establish a catalogue of recognisable individuals and establish a population estimate. Since its inception, the project has expanded to incorporate taxonomy, life history, toxicology and acoustics. The biology of New Zealand common dolphins is currently under investigation via the post-mortem examination of carcasses that strand or become by-caught within New Zealand fisheries.

Previous research projects have examined behaviour and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Scottish waters. Despite working in New Zealand, I continue to collaborate with colleagues working in the northern hemisphere. Current projects and affiliations include the Aberdeenshire Dolphin Project and the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme.

Current research projects: (1 PhD)

• The New Zealand Common Dolphin Project
• Describing the vocal repertoire of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. [PHD] co-supervisor

• 2008
  A study of the relationships between the behaviour of cetaceans and vessel traffic using two case studies: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) - MSc, co-supervisor.



• 2007
  Abundance and behavioural ecology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. - MSc, co-supervisor



• 2006
  Foraging ecology of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. - MSc, co-supervisor

RESEARCH

The New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP)

Based under the Coastal-Marine Research Group, the New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP) began in 2002. The study originally focused on the occurrence, distribution, demographics and behavioural ecology of common dolphins in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. As part of a doctoral study, boat-based surveys were conducted and focal group follows undertaken. Environmental and behavioural data were used to describe habitat use and activity budgets used to examine potential impacts associated with tourism. Photo-identification was conducted to establish a catalogue of recognisable individuals and to establish a population estimate. Since its inception, the project has expanded to incorporate taxonomy, life history, toxicology and acoustics. The biology of New Zealand common dolphins is currently under investigation via the post-mortem examination of carcasses commercially by-caught in New Zealand fisheries.

PUBLICATIONS

Stockin KA, Binedell V, Wiseman N, Brunton DH & Orams MB 2009. Behaviour of free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science 25: 283-301.

Stockin KA, Wiseman N, Hartman A, Moffat N & Roe WD 2008. Use of radiography to determine age class and assist with the post-mortem diagnostics of a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 42: 307-313. |PDF, 1.1 MB|

Stockin KA, Pierce GJ, Binedell V, Wiseman NJ & Orams MB 2008. Occurrence and distribution of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Aquatic Mammals |PDF, 495 KB|

Stockin KA, Lusseau D, Binedell V, Wiseman NJ & Orams MB 2008. Tourism affects the behaviour budget of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Marine Ecology Progress Series 355:287-295. |PDF, 295 KB|

Stockin KA, Law RJ, Duignan PJ, Jones GW, Porter L, Mirimin L, Meynier L, & Orams MB 2007. Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.). Science of the Total Environment: 333-345. |PDF, 1.7 MB|

Stockin KA, Weir CR, & Pierce GJ 2006. Examining the importance of Aberdeenshire (UK) coastal waters for North Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 86: 201-207. |PDF, 321 KB|

Stockin KA & Visser IN 2005. Anomalously pigmented common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) off Northern New Zealand. Aquatic Mammals 31: 43-51. |PDF, 719KB|

Stockin KA & Burgess EA 2005. Opportunistic feeding of an adult humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrating along the coast of South-East Queensland, Australia. Aquatic Mammals 31: 120-123. |PDF, 424 KB|

Stockin KA 2005. Common dolphins: Current research, threats and issues. In: Proceedings of a workshop on common dolphins: Current research, threats and issues at the 18th Annual European Cetacean Society Conference, March 29th-31st 2004, Kolmården, Sweden. (Eds: KA Stockin , A Vella, & PGH Evans). European Cetacean Society: Special Issue 45, 39pp. |PDF, 578 KB|

Sini M, Canning SJ, Stockin KA & Pierce GJ 2005. Bottlenose dolphins at Aberdeen harbour, NE Scotland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 85: 1547-1554. |PDF, 629 KB|

Stockin KA, Fairbairns RS, Parsons ECM, Sims DW & Gordon JCD 2001. A note on the effects of diel and seasonal cycles on the dive duration of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 81: 189-190. |PDF, 66 KB|

REPORTS/ THESIS

Stockin KA 2008. The New Zealand common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) - Identity, ecology and conservation. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. 235 pp. |PDF, 6.6 MB|