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Reports of unexplained fur seal deaths in the Hauraki Gulf have prompted a call for more funding to investigate.
Research into 57 fur seal (kekeno) deaths has led to unanswered questions on what is causing the deaths.
Environmental advocate Shaun Lee compiled the report in conjunction with the Department of Conservation.
They found that for 32 kekeno, it was unclear what had caused their deaths.
Lee presented his recent findings to the Hauraki Gulf Forum on February 28 and asked for funding to undertake further study.
Deaths were concentrated around September, leading Lee to believe the deaths were driven by seasonal conditions.
His report proposed disease, toxins or drownings as possible causes, but no definite cause would be clear until more research was done.
He asked for $10,000 to undertake necropsies on recovered seal.
He said kekeno were an important species in the gulf.
Hauraki Gulf Forum executive director Alex Rogers said he would develop a funding proposal in the next financial year.
Thames-Coromandel Mayor Sandra Goudie was concerned by the added cost.
“We’re already very stretched as it is,” Goudie said.
She wanted the forum to approach the Department of Conservation for funding instead.
