By Fin Ocheduszko Brown
The frequency of carcasses has Sumner Beach-goers anxious at every lump. Photo: Fin Ocheduszko Brown
Locals at Sumner Beach in Canterbury are noticing an increase in dead seal pups, birds and other marine life in 2024.
During the third week of September, two dead seal pups washed up in as many days.
"Most times I come down here [and] there is something new, there definitely seems to be more in recent times," said regular beach-walker, Sue, who asked just for her first name to be used.
Department of Conservation's [DOC] Mahaanui Biodiversity Supervisor, Craig Alexander, said climate change may be to blame, as waters warm and fish move deeper and out of reach for many birds and seals.
For animals such as seal pups, not being able to handle the heavy swells and being bashed around on rocks was also a likely to cause problems.
Two seals found dead in as many days has Sumner Beach locals concerned. Photo: Supplied
"It's one of those by-products of living close to large seal colonies, especially with pups because they leave the colony and head out into open water," Alexander said.
"So sometimes they flourish and other times, unfortunately, they are not successful and die."
Nearby Banks Peninsula is home to 8000 seals.
Alexander echoed Sue's observation that there has been an increase in calls regarding animal carcasses on Canterbury beaches.
In February, RNZ reported 1000 fur seals had died over five months around Kaikoura due to warming sea temperatures and a lack of fish at shallower depths for them to eat.
Another regular Sumner Beach-walker, Dylan Green, says he is concerned with the frequency of carcasses seen on his favourite dog-walking spot.
"The amount of times I've seen my dog up ahead rolling like crazy in something which I later find to be a dead seal or bird is unbelievable, and by the time you get there, the damage has been done and off for a shower he goes," Green said. "This year especially, it is really concerning," he added.
Feathers, fur and bones are now common site on the gorgeous Sumner Beach. Photo: Fin Ocheduszko Brown
Alexander urges those with dogs to have them under effective control and keep an eye on them at all times in open spaces, even more so with the chance of a foreign bird flu called High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza making its way across the globe, but yet to reach New Zealand.
"We are starting to prepare. It has been found that it's gone from birds to seals and some countries have lost large populations of seals and [it] has crossed the barriers into humans," Alexander said.
"If this virus does come into New Zealand, there is the potential for hundreds of seals washed up on Sumner and Canterbury beaches."
If you encounter a deceased marine mammal do not hesitate to call DOC's emergency hotline, 0800 DOC HOT [0800362468].