Contact Details
Email steve.dawson@otago.ac.nz
Academic Qualifications
MSc University of Auckland
PhD University of Canterbury
Research Interests
- Conservation biology of marine mammals, especially Hector's dolphin
- Incidental catch of marine mammals in fisheries
- Acoustic behaviour and communication in cetaceans
- Line-transect surveys for inshore cetaceans
- Photogrammetry
Research Projects
- Conservation biology and Ecology of Hector's dolphin
- Conservation biology of Fiordland Bottlenose dolphins
- Ecology and acoustic behaviour of sperm whales
- UAV photogrammetry as a tool for understanding cetacean ecology
Visit here for more information on the New Zealand Whale & Dolphin Trust
Postgraduate Students
Lindsay Wickman – Thesis Title (PhD): Population modelling of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, NZ.
Steph Bennington – Thesis Title (PhD): Investigating recovery of the endangered Hector's dolphin
Recent graduates
- David Johnston PhD (2023)
- Hannah Williams (MSc)
- Will Carome MSc (2022)
- Max Harvey MSc (2022)
- María Valdés Hernández PhD (2022)
- Toby Dickson MSc (Distinction: 2020)
- Dr Tom Brough PhD (2019)
- Dr Marta Guerra PhD (2019)
- Steph Bennington (Distinction: 2019)
- Rob Lewis (Distinction: 2019)
- Tamlyn Somerville MSc (Distinction: 2019)
- Lindsay Wickman MSc (Distinction: 2017)
- Eva Leunissen MSc (Distinction: 2017)
- David Johnston MSc (Distinction: 2017)
Awards
- Division of Sciences Outstanding Teacher award. University of Otago. December 2020.
- John Morton Medal (New Zealand Marine Sciences Society). Awarded for outstanding contribution to the advancement of marine conservation and sustainability in New Zealand. 2016 (Awarded jointly with Prof Elisabeth Slooten).
- University of Otago Award for Excellence in Teaching – 2012.
- Sir Charles Fleming Award (Royal Society of NZ) for outstanding contribution to conservation science. 2004. (Awarded jointly with Dr Elisabeth Slooten).
Publications
Bennington, S. M., Bourke, S. D., Wilkinson, S. P., Englebert, N., Bond, D. M., Jeunen, G.-J., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., Dillingham, P. W., Rayment, W. J., & Alexander, A. (2024). New insights into the population structure of Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) revealed using environmental DNA. Environmental DNA, 6, e70024. doi: 10.1002/edn3.70024 Journal - Research Article
Bennington, S., Dillingham, P. W., Bourke, S. D., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Rayment, W. J. (2024). Testing spatial transferability of species distribution models reveals differing habitat preferences for an endangered delphinid (Cephalorhynchus hectori) in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Ecology & Evolution, 14, e70074. doi: 10.1002/ece3.70074 Journal - Research Article
Valdés Hernández, M. J., Dawson, S., Pavanato, H., Leunissen, E., & Rayment, W. (2024). Using passive acoustic monitoring to assess the overlap between endemic endangered Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and mussel farms in the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary, New Zealand. Aquatic Conservation, 34, e4207. doi: 10.1002/aqc.4207 Journal - Research Article
Williams, H., Dawson, S., Bennington, S., & Rayment, W. J. (2024). Multi-disciplinary surveys reveal a small subpopulation of Hector's dolphins is frequently exposed to the risk of bycatch. Aquatic Conservation, 34(2), e4109. doi: 10.1002/aqc.4109 Journal - Research Article
Nielsen, N. A., Dawson, S. M., Torres Ortiz, S., Wahlberg, M., & Martin, M. J. (2024). Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) produce both narrowband high-frequency and broadband acoustic signals. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 155(2), 1437-1450. doi: 10.1121/10.0024820 Journal - Research Article
2024
Journal - Research Article
Bennington, S. M., Bourke, S. D., Wilkinson, S. P., Englebert, N., Bond, D. M., Jeunen, G.-J., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., Dillingham, P. W., Rayment, W. J., & Alexander, A. (2024). New insights into the population structure of Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) revealed using environmental DNA. Environmental DNA, 6, e70024. doi: 10.1002/edn3.70024
Bennington, S., Dillingham, P. W., Bourke, S. D., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Rayment, W. J. (2024). Testing spatial transferability of species distribution models reveals differing habitat preferences for an endangered delphinid (Cephalorhynchus hectori) in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Ecology & Evolution, 14, e70074. doi: 10.1002/ece3.70074
Valdés Hernández, M. J., Dawson, S., Pavanato, H., Leunissen, E., & Rayment, W. (2024). Using passive acoustic monitoring to assess the overlap between endemic endangered Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and mussel farms in the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary, New Zealand. Aquatic Conservation, 34, e4207. doi: 10.1002/aqc.4207
Williams, H., Dawson, S., Bennington, S., & Rayment, W. J. (2024). Multi-disciplinary surveys reveal a small subpopulation of Hector's dolphins is frequently exposed to the risk of bycatch. Aquatic Conservation, 34(2), e4109. doi: 10.1002/aqc.4109
Nielsen, N. A., Dawson, S. M., Torres Ortiz, S., Wahlberg, M., & Martin, M. J. (2024). Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) produce both narrowband high-frequency and broadband acoustic signals. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 155(2), 1437-1450. doi: 10.1121/10.0024820
Harvey, M., Dawson, S., & Rayment, W. (2024). Estimating the abundance of the Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) that use Porpoise Bay, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 58(1), 46-59. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2022.2112060
2023
Journal - Research Article
Carome, W., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., Bowman, M. H., Martinez, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2023). Snapshots in time: Quantifying dynamics of coastal vessel traffic in a dolphin hotspot. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2023.2261872
Guerra, M., Sabadel, A., Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Wing, L. (2023). Seasonal variation in the use of food resources by sperm whales in a submarine canyon. Deep Sea Research Part I, 200, 104149. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2023.104149
Brough, T. E., Rayment, W. J., Slooten, L., & Dawson, S. (2023). Prey and habitat characteristics contribute to hotspots of distribution for an endangered coastal dolphin. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 1204943. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1204943
Carome, W., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., Bowman, M. H., & Dawson, S. M. (2023). Vessel traffic influences distribution of Aotearoa New Zealand's endemic dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Marine Mammal Science, 39, 626-647. doi: 10.1111/mms.12995
Bennington, S., Guerra, M., Johnston, D., Currey, R., Brough, T., Corne, C., … Slooten, E., Dawson, S., & Rayment, W. (2023). Decadal stability in the distribution of bottlenose dolphins in Dusky Sound/Tamatea, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 57(3), 411-424. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2022.2038214
Lewis, R., Dawson, S., & Rayment, W. (2023). Size structure of broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) in Sawdust Bay, Rakiura/Stewart Island, estimated using underwater stereo-photogrammetry. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 57(1), 104-118. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2021.1968010
Dickson, T., Guerra, M., Rayment, W., & Dawson, S. (2023). Multi-decadal observations of the size structure of sperm whales at Kaikōura, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 57(1), 63-74. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2021.1960570
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wickman, L., Rayment, W., Dillingham, P., Dawson, S., & Slooten, L. (2023). Updated estimates of survival rate for Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) Annual Meeting. (pp. 174). [Abstract]
2022
Journal - Research Article
Carome, W., Slooten, E., Rayment, W., Webster, T., Wickman, L., Brough, T., & Dawson, S. M. (2022). A long-term shift in the summer distribution of Hector’s dolphins is correlated with an increase in cruise ship tourism. Aquatic Conservation, 32, 1660-1674. doi: 10.1002/aqc.3881
Hersh, T. A., Gero, S., Rendell, L., Cantor, M., Weilgart, L., Amano, M., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., … Guerra, M., … Whitehead, H. (2022). Evidence from sperm whale clans of symbolic marking in non-human cultures. PNAS, 119(37), e2201692119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2201692119
Somerford, T. R., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., Guerra, M., Childerhouse, S. J., Richter, C. F., van der Linde, M. L., & Rayment, W. J. (2022). Long-term decline in abundance of male sperm whales visiting Kaikōura, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 38, 606-625. doi: 10.1111/mms.12886
Guerra, M., Dawson, S. M., Somerford, T. R., Slooten, E., & Rayment, W. J. (2022). Fine-scale habitat use of foraging sperm whales is driven by seafloor topography and water column structure. Marine Mammal Science, 38, 626-652. doi: 10.1111/mms.12881
2021
Journal - Research Article
Bennington, S., Rayment, W., Currey, R., Oldridge, L., Henderson, S., Guerra, M., … Johnston, D., … Slooten, L., & Dawson, S. (2021). Long-term stability in core habitat of an endangered population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Implications for spatial management. Aquatic Conservation, 31, 665-676. doi: 10.1002/aqc.3460
Journal - Research Other
Wickman, L., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2021). An observed decline in the mark rate of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 37, 1544-1551. doi: 10.1111/mms.12826
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2021). Delays in protecting a small endangered cetacean: Lessons learned for science and management. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 606547. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.606547
Fumagalli, M., Guerra, M., Brough, T., Carome, W., Constantine, R., Higham, J., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., … Dawson, S. (2021). Looking back to move forward: Lessons from three decades of research and management of cetacean tourism in New Zealand. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 624448. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.624448
Dickson, T., Rayment, W., & Dawson, S. (2021). Drone photogrammetry allows refinement of acoustically derived length estimation for male sperm whales [Note]. Marine Mammal Science, 37, 1150-1158. doi: 10.1111/mms.12795
Wickman, L., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2021). Recommendations for estimating mark rate of cetaceans in photo-ID research: A critique of field sampling protocols and variance estimation. Marine Mammal Science, 37, 328-343. doi: 10.1111/mms.12723
2020
Journal - Research Article
Bennington, S., Rayment, W., & Dawson, S. (2020). Putting prey into the picture: Improvements to species distribution models for bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 653, 191-204. doi: 10.3354/meps13492
Lewis, R., Dawson, S., & Rayment, W. (2020). Estimating population parameters of broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) using photo-ID capture-recapture. Journal of Fish Biology, 97, 987-995. doi: 10.1111/jfb.14453
Christiansen, F., Dawson, S. M., Durban, J. W., Fearnbach, H., Miller, C. A., Bejder, L., … Rayment, W., Leunissen, E., … Moore, M. J. (2020). Population comparison of right whale body condition reveals poor state of the North Atlantic right whale. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 640, 1-16. doi: 10.3354/meps13299
Guerra, M., Wing, L., Dawson, S., & Rayment, W. (2020). Stable isotope analyses reveal seasonal and inter-individual variation in the foraging ecology of sperm whales. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 638, 207-219. doi: 10.3354/meps13255
Brough, T., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2020). Spatiotemporal distribution of foraging in a marine predator: Behavioural drivers of hotspot formation. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 635, 187-202. doi: 10.3354/meps13198
Guerra, M., Dawson, S., Sabadel, A., Slooten, E., Somerford, T., Williams, R., Wing, L., & Rayment, W. (2020). Changes in habitat use by a deep-diving predator in response to a coastal earthquake. Deep Sea Research Part I, 158, 103226. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2020.103226
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Jeunen, G.-J., Urban, L., Lewis, R., Knapp, M., Lamare, M., Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Gemmell, N. (2020). Marine environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity assessments: A one-to-one comparison between eDNA and baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys. Authorea. doi: 10.22541/au.160278512.26241559/v1
2019
Journal - Research Article
Brough, T., Rayment, W., & Dawson, S. (2019). Using a recreational grade echosounder to quantify the potential prey field of coastal predators. PLoS ONE, 14(5), e0217013. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217013
Webster, T. A., Van Parijs, S. M., Rayment, W. J., & Dawson, S. M. (2019). Temporal variation in the vocal behaviour of southern right whales in the Auckland Islands, New Zealand. Royal Society Open Science, 6, 181487. doi: 10.1098/rsos.181487
Leunissen, E. M., Rayment, W. J., & Dawson, S. M. (2019). Impact of pile-driving on Hector's dolphin in Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 142, 31-42. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.017
Brough, T., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2019). Fine scale distribution for a population of New Zealand's only endemic dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) shows long-term stability of coastal hotspots. Marine Mammal Science, 35(1), 140-163. doi: 10.1111/mms.12528
2018
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, S. M. (2018). Cephalorhynchus dolphins: C. heavisidii, C. eutropia, C. hectori, and C. commersonii. In B. Würsig, J. G. M. Thewissen & K. M. Kovacs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of marine mammals. (3rd ed.) (pp. 166-172). London, UK: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00086-8
Journal - Research Article
Leunissen, E. M., & Dawson, S. M. (2018). Underwater noise levels of pile-driving in a New Zealand harbour, and the potential impacts on endangered Hector's dolphins. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 135, 195-204. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.024
Steel, D., Anderson, M., Garrigue, C., Olavarría, C., Childerhouse, S., Clapham, P., … Dawson, S., … Slooten, L., … Baker, C. S. (2018). Migratory interchange of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) among breeding grounds of Oceania and connections to Antarctic feeding areas based on genotype matching. Polar Biology, 41(4), 653-662. doi: 10.1007/s00300-017-2226-9
Davidson, A. R., Rayment, W., Dawson, S. M., Webster, T., & Slooten, E. (2018). Estimated calving interval for the New Zealand southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 52(3), 372-383. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2017.1397034
Rayment, W., Webster, T., Brough, T., Jowett, T., & Dawson, S. (2018). Seen or heard? A comparison of visual and acoustic autonomous monitoring methods for investigating temporal variation in occurrence of southern right whales. Marine Biology, 165, 12. doi: 10.1007/s00227-017-3264-0
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Brough, T., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2018). Foraging behaviour, prey field characteristics and distribution hotspots: Towards an understanding of the drivers of hotspot formation in the endangered Hector's dolphin. Proceedings of the Society for Conservation Biology 5th Oceania Congress: Conservation in a Changing World. (pp. 53). Retrieved from http://wellington2018.scboceania.org
2017
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, S. M., Bowman, M. H., Leunissen, E., & Sirguey, P. (2017). Inexpensive aerial photogrammetry for studies of whales and large marine animals. Frontiers in Marine Science, 4, 366. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00366
Johnston, D. R., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2017). A time-based method for defining associations using photo-identification. Behaviour, 154(9-10), 1029-1050. doi: 10.1163/1568539X-00003455
Forney, K. A., Southall, B. L., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Read, A. J., Baird, R. W., & Brownell, Jr, R. L. (2017). Nowhere to go: Noise impact assessments for marine mammal populations with high site fidelity. Endangered Species Research, 32, 391-413. doi: 10.3354/esr00820
Dawson, S. M., Fordyce, R. E., Ridgway, S. H., Brough, T. E., & Slooten, E. (2017). Observations of a New Zealand dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) breathing via its mouth. Marine Mammal Science, 33(1), 350-355. doi: 10.1111/mms.12349
Journal - Research Other
Slooten, E., Simmons, G., Dawson, S. M., Bremner, G., Thrush, S. F., Whittaker, H., … Robertson, B. C., … Zeller, D. (2017). Evidence of bias in assessment of fisheries management impacts. PNAS, 114(25), E4901-E4902. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1706544114
2016
Chapter in Book - Research
Tregenza, N., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., & Verfuss, U. (2016). Listening to echolocation clicks with PODs. In W. W. L. Au & M. O. Lammers (Eds.), Listening in the ocean: New discoveries and insights on marine life from autonomous passive acoustic recorders. (pp. 163-206). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3176-7_7
Journal - Research Article
Webster, T. A., Dawson, S. M., Rayment, W. J., Parks, S. E., & Van Parijs, S. M. (2016). Quantitative analysis of the acoustic repertoire of southern right whales in New Zealand. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 140(1), 322-333. doi: 10.1121/1.4955066
Brough, T. E., Henderson, S., Guerra, M., & Dawson, S. M. (2016). Factors influencing heterogeneity in female reproductive success in a critically endangered population of bottlenose dolphins. Endangered Species Research, 29(3), 255-270. doi: 10.3354/esr00715
Guerra, M., & Dawson, S. M. (2016). Boat-based tourism and bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand: The role of management in decreasing dolphin-boat interactions. Tourism Management, 57, 3-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2016.05.010
Dittmann, S., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., Webster, T., & Slooten, E. (2016). Hector's dolphin movement patterns in response to height and direction of ocean swell. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 50(2), 228-239. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2015.1119165
Agnew, P., Lalas, C., Wright, J., & Dawson, S. (2016). Annual variation in recruitment and age-specific survival of Little Penguins, Eudyptula minor. Emu, 116, 62-70. doi: 10.1071/MU15072
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Somerford, T., Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2016). A decline in abundance of sperm whales at Kaikoura, revealed by analysis of photo-ID data. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 98). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Wickman, L., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., & Rayment, W. (2016). Decreasing mark rate affects the precision of estimates of survival rate in Hector’s dolphins. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 80). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Rayment, W., Webster, T., Davidson, A., & Dawson, S. (2016). Demographic parameters of southern right whales estimated via analysis of photo-ID data. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 68). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Leunissen, E., & Dawson, S. (2016). Underwater noise from pile driving and its impact on Hector’s dolphins in Lyttelton harbour, New Zealand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 49). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Johnston, D., Rayment, W., Slooten, L., & Dawson, S. (2016). Dolphin cliques: A time-based method for defining associations using photo-identification. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 46). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Guerra, M., Rayment, W., Wing, L., Slooten, L., & Dawson, S. (2016). Trophic interactions in the Kaikōura submarine canyon: From primary productivity to sperm whales. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 41). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
Brough, T., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., & Rayment, W. (2016). Nearshore habitat use by Hector’s dolphins at Banks Peninsula: A comparison of visual and acoustic methods. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) and Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference: Sharing Ocean Resources: Now and in the Future. (pp. 24). Retrieved from https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/nzmss-amsa-2016/home/Agenda
2015
Journal - Research Article
Agnew, P., Lalas, C., Wright, J., & Dawson, S. (2015). Variation in breeding success and survival of little penguins Eudyptula minor in response to environmental variation. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 541, 219-229. doi: 10.3354/meps11538
Brough, T. E., Guerra, M., & Dawson, S. M. (2015). Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in the far south of New Zealand indicates a 'new', previously unstudied population. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 49(1), 150-158. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2014.984728
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Webster, T. (2015). Breeding status affects fine-scale habitat selection of southern right whales on their wintering grounds. Journal of Biogeography, 42(3), 463-474. doi: 10.1111/jbi.12443
2014
Journal - Research Article
Guerra, M., Dawson, S. M., Brough, T. E., & Rayment, W. J. (2014). Effects of boats on the surface and acoustic behaviour of an endangered population of bottlenose dolphin. Endangered Species Research, 24(3), 221-236. doi: 10.3354/esr00598
Peel, D., Miller, B. S., Kelly, N., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., & Double, M. C. (2014). A simulation study of acoustic-assisted tracking of whales for mark-recapture surveys. PLoS ONE, 9(5), e95602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095602
Henderson, S. D., Dawson, S. M., Currey, R. J. C., Lusseau, D., & Schneider, K. (2014). Reproduction, birth seasonality, and calf survival of bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 30(3), 1067-1080. doi: 10.1111/mms.12109
2013
Authored Book - Research
Slooten, L., & Dawson, S. (2013). Dolphins down under: Understanding the New Zealand dolphin. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 96p.
Journal - Research Article
Miller, B., Dawson, S., & Vennell, R. (2013). Underwater behavior of sperm whales off Kaikoura, New Zealand, as revealed by a three-dimensional hydrophone array. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 134(4), 2690-2700. doi: 10.1121/1.4818896
Miller, B. S., Growcott, A., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2013). Acoustically derived growth rates of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 134(3), 2438-2445. doi: 10.1121/1.4816564
Dawson, S., Fletcher, D., & Slooten, E. (2013). Habitat use and conservation of an endangered dolphin. Endangered Species Research, 21, 45-54. doi: 10.3354/esr00508
Turek, J., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., & Turek, D. (2013). Distribution and abundance of Hector's dolphins off Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 47(2), 181-191. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2013.771687
Agnew, P., Lalas, C., Wright, J., & Dawson, S. (2013). Effects of attached data-logging devices on little penguins (Eudyptula minor). Marine Biology, 160(9), 2375-2382. doi: 10.1007/s00227-013-2231-7
Henderson, S. D., Dawson, S. M., Rayment, W., & Currey, R. J. C. (2013). Are the 'resident' dolphins of Doubtful Sound becoming less resident? Endangered Species Research, 20(2), 99-107. doi: 10.3354/esr00484
Dawson, S. M., Northridge, S., Waples, D., & Read, A. J. (2013). To ping or not to ping: The use of active acoustic devices in mitigating interactions between small cetaceans and gillnet fisheries. Endangered Species Research, 19(3), 201-221. doi: 10.3354/esr00464
Miller, E., Lalas, C., Dawson, S., Ratz, H., & Slooten, E. (2013). Hector's dolphin diet: The species, sizes and relative importance of prey eaten by Cephalorhynchus hectori, investigated using stomach content analysis. Marine Mammal Science, 29(4), 606-628. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00594.x
Journal - Research Other
Dawson, S. M., & Lusseau, D. M. (2013). Pseudo-replication confounds the assessment of long-distance detection of gillnets by porpoises: Comment on Nielsen et al. (2012). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 478, 301-302. doi: 10.3354/meps10337
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Webster, T., Dawson, S., & Van Parijs, S. (2013). Acoustic presence of Southern right whales in the Auckland Islands. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 221). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2013). Solutions to marine mammal bycatch: What works, where and when? Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 194). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Webster, T. (2013). Breeding status affects fine-scale habitat preferences of southern right whales at the Auckland Islands wintering ground. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 175). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Miller, E., Dawson, S., & Slooten, L. (2013). Hector's dolphin diet and habitat selection: The influence of prey availability and oceanographic patterns on seasonal distribution at Banks Peninsula. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 145). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Guerra, M., Dawson, S. M., & Brough, T. E. (2013). Impacts of tourism on bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand: Management success and next steps for mitigation. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 86). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Gormley, A. M., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Barker, R. J., Rayment, W., du Fresne, S., & Bräger, S. (2013). First evidence of that marine protected areas can work for marine mammals: Hector's dolphins and the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 84). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Faustino, C., Rayment, W., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., & Mackenzie, M. (2013). Animal distribution and spatial management: Hector's dolphin populations off the South Island, New Zealand. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 67). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Brough, T., Henderson, S., Currey, R., Guerra, M., & Dawson, S. (2013). It matters who your mum is: Variation in female reproductive success and calf survival in the bottlenose dolphin population of Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 33). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Antunes, R., Slooten, L., Dawson, S., Rendell, L., & Whitehead, H. (2013). Variation of sperm whale coda repertoires from Tonga. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 14). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2013). A flagship of NZ conservation is foundering. Proceedings of the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. (pp. 5). Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalscience.org/
Other Research Output
Dawson, S. (2013, May). Using science to save dolphins, and whaling without a harpoon. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Inaugural Professorial Lecture].
2012
Journal - Research Article
Elliott, R. G., Dawson, S. M., & Rayment, W. J. (2012). Optimizing T-pod settings and testing range of detection for bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 92(8), 1901-1907. doi: 10.1017/s002531541100035x
Rayment, W., Davidson, A., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., & Webster, T. (2012). Distribution of southern right whales on the Auckland Islands calving grounds. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 46(3), 431-436. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2012.697072
Growcott, A., Sirguey, P., & Dawson, S. M. (2012). Development and assessment of a digital stereo photogrammetric system to measure cetaceans at sea. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 78(3), 237-246.
Gormley, A. M., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Barker, R. J., Rayment, W., du Fresne, S., & Bräger, S. (2012). First evidence that marine protected areas can work for marine mammals. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(2), 474-480. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02121.x
Fletcher, D., Lebreton, J.-D., Marescot, L., Schaub, M., Gimenez, O., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2012). Bias in estimation of adult survival and asymptotic population growth rate caused by undetected capture heterogeneity. Methods in Ecology & Evolution, 3, 206-216. doi: 10.1111/j.2041-210X.2011.00137.x
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Gormley, A. M., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Bräger, S. (2012). Corrigendum to "Capture-recapture estimates of Hector's dolphin abundance at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand" [Marine Mammal Science, 21(2): 204-216]. Marine Mammal Science, 28(2), 437. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00570.x
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Gormley, A. M., Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Barker, R. J., Rayment, W., du Fresne, S., & Bräger, S. (2012). First evidence of that marine protected areas can work for marine mammals: Hector's dolphins and the Banks Peninsular Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Proceedings of the New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES) Conference. (pp. 54). Retrieved from https://newzealandecology.org/events/conference-2012
2011
Journal - Research Article
Elliott, R. G., Dawson, S. M., & Henderson, S. (2011). Acoustic monitoring of habitat use by bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 45(4), 637-649. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2011.570351
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., Scali, S., & Slooten, L. (2011). Listening for a needle in a haystack: Passive acoustic detection of dolphins at very low densities. Endangered Species Research, 14, 149-156. doi: 10.3354/esr00356
Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., Schneider, K., Lusseau, D., Boisseau, O. J., Haase, P. A., & Slooten, E. (2011). Inferring causal factors for a declining population of bottlenose dolphins via temporal symmetry capture—recapture modeling. Marine Mammal Science, 27(3), 554-566. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00417.x
Growcott, A., Miller, B., Sirguey, P., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2011). Measuring body length of male sperm whales from their clicks: The relationship between inter-pulse intervals and photogrammetrically measured lengths. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 130(1), 568-573. doi: 10.1121/1.3578455
Rayment, W., Clement, D., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., & Secchi, E. (2011). Distribution of Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) off the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand, with implications for the management of bycatch. Marine Mammal Science, 27(2), 398-420. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00407.x
Morisaka, T., Karczmarski, L., Akamatsu, T., Sakai, M., Dawson, S., & Thornton, M. (2011). Echolocation signals of Heaviside's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 129(1), 449-457. doi: 10.1121/1.3519401
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Webster, T., & Dawson, S. (2011). Southern right whale vocalisations: A pilot study at the Auckland Islands. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) Conference: Understanding, Managing, and Conserving our Marine Environment. (pp. 47). Retrieved from http://nzmss.org/assets/Conference/NZMSS2011AbstractsPosterPresentations.pdf
2010
Journal - Research Article
Rowe, L. E., Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., & Johnson, D. (2010). Assessment of epidermal condition and calf size of Fiordland bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus populations using dorsal fin photographs and photogrammetry. Endangered Species Research, 11(1), 83-89. doi: 10.3354/esr00256
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2010). Assessing the effectiveness of conservation management decisions: Likely effects of new protection measures for Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Aquatic Conservation, 20(3), 334-347. doi: 10.1002/aqc.1084
Webster, T., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2010). A simple laser photogrammetry technique for measuring Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) in the field. Marine Mammal Science, 26(2), 296-308. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00326.x
Childerhouse, S. J., Dawson, S. M., Fletcher, D. J., Slooten, E., & Chilvers, B. L. (2010). Growth and reproduction of female New Zealand sea lions. Journal of Mammalogy, 91(1), 165-176. doi: 10.1644/09-mamm-a-110r.1
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2010). Seasonal changes in distribution of Hector's dolphin at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand: Implications for protected area design. Aquatic Conservation, 20(1), 106-116. doi: 10.1002/aqc.1049
Childerhouse, S. J., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., Fletcher, D. J., & Wilkinson, I. S. (2010). Age distribution of lactating New Zealand sea lions: Interannual and intersite variation. Marine Mammal Science, 26(1), 123-139. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00330.x
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Slooten, L. (2010). Use of T-PODS for acoustic monitoring of Cephalorhynchus dolphins: A case study with Hector's dolphins in a marine protected area. Endangered Species Research, 10(1), 333-339. doi: 10.3354/esr00189
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Hutchison, E., Dawson, S., & Slooten, L. (2010). What drives dolphin distribution? Investigating the role of prey availability and oceanographic patterns in Hector's dolphin habitat selection. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society 50th Anniversary Conference. (pp. 65). NZMSS. Retrieved from www.nzmss.org/conference
Rayment, W., Currey, R., Dawson, S., Hammond, P., & Slooten, L. (2010). Precision of survival rate estimates in longitudinal studies: A comparative assessment for delphinid. Proceedings of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society 50th Anniversary Conference. (pp. 102). NZMSS. Retrieved from www.nzmss.org/conference
2009
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, S. M. (2009). Cephalorhynchus dolphins: C. heavisidii, C. eutropia, C. hectori, and C. commersonii. In W. F. Perrin, B. Würsig & J. G. M. Thewissen (Eds.), Encyclopedia of marine mammals. (2nd ed.) (pp. 191-195). Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
Journal - Research Article
Miller, B., & Dawson, S. (2009). A large-aperture low-cost hydrophone array for tracking whales from small boats. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126(5), 2248-2256. doi: 10.1121/1.3238258
Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., Schneider, K., Lusseau, D., Boisseau, O. J., Haase, P., & Williams, J. A. (2009). Survival rates for a declining population of bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand: An information theoretic approach to assessing the role of human impacts. Aquatic Conservation, 19(6), 658-670. doi: 10.1002/aqc.1015
Webster, T. A., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2009). Evidence of sex segregation in Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Aquatic Mammals, 35(2), 212-219. doi: 10.1578/am.35.2.2009.212
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., Slooten, E., Bräger, S., Du Fresne, S., & Webster, T. (2009). Kernel density estimates of alongshore home range of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 25(3), 537-556. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00271.x
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Slooten, L. (2009). Trialling an automated passive acoustic detector (T-POD) with Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 89(5), 1015-1022. doi: 10.1017/S0025315409003129
Rowe, L. E., & Dawson, S. M. (2009). Determining the sex of bottlenose dolphins from Doubtful Sound using dorsal fin photographs. Marine Mammal Science, 25(1), 19-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00235.x
Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2009). An approach for regional threat assessment under IUCN Red List criteria that is robust to uncertainty: The Fiordland bottlenose dolphins are critically endangered. Biological Conservation, 142(8), 1570-1579. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2009.02.036
2008
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, S. M. (2008). Marine mammals. In M. Winterbourn, G. Knox, C. Burrows & I. Marsden (Eds.), The natural history of Canterbury. (3rd ed.) (pp. 685-702). Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury University Press.
Journal - Research Article
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2008). Sustainable levels of human impact for Hector's dolphin. Open Conservation Biology Journal, 2, 37-43.
Rowe, L., & Dawson, S. M. (2008). Laser photogrammetry to determine dorsal fin size in a population of bottlenose dolphins from Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Australian Journal of Zoology, 56(4), 239-248. doi: 10.1071/ZO08051
Dawson, S., Wade, P., Slooten, E., & Barlow, J. (2008). Design and field methods for sighting surveys of cetaceans in coastal and riverine habitats. Mammal Review, 38(1), 19-49. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00119.x
Currey, R. J. C., Rowe, L. E., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2008). Abundance and demography of bottlenose dolphins in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, inferred from dorsal fin photographs. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 42(4), 439-449. doi: 10.1080/00288330809509972
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Aguayo, A., Bedriana-Romano, L., Dawson, S., . . ., Slooten, L., & et al (2008). Information for 6.9, consideration of status of Chilean dolphins in Chile with implications for other small cetaceans (SC60/SM/WP). International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. IWC.
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2008). Effectiveness of new protection measures for Hector's dolphin (SC/60/SM12). International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. IWC. 19p.
Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2008). A platform-of-opportunity survey for cetaceans, especially Chilean dolphins, Cephalorhynchus eutropia, in the Chilean fiords (SC60/SM11). International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. IWC. 12p.
Barlow, J., Rankin, S., & Dawson, S. (2008). A guide to constructing hydrophones and hydrophone arrays for monitoring marine mammal vocalizations [NOAA Technical Memorandum 417]. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA. 24p. Retrieved from http://swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedFiles/Divisions/PRD/Programs/Coastal_Marine_Mammal/Barlow%20et%20al%202008%20HydrophoneConstruction_TM-417.pdf
2007
Journal - Research Article
Currey, R. J. C., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2007). New abundance estimates suggest Doubtful Sound bottlenose dolphins are declining. Pacific Conservation Biology, 13, 265-273.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Miller, B. S., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2007). Eavesdropping on sperm whales: Passive acoustic localization. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Review. 48. [Abstract]
2006
Journal - Research Article
Rayment, W., Dawson, S., Slooten, L., & Childerhouse, S. (2006). Offshore distribution of Hector's dolphin at Banks Peninsula. DOC Research & Development Series, 232, 1-23.
Du Fresne, S., Fletcher, D., & Dawson, S. (2006). The effect of line-transect placement in a coastal distance sampling survey. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management, 8(1), 79-85.
Richter, C., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2006). Impacts of commercial whale watching on male sperm whales at Kaikoura, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 22(1), 46-63.
Slooten, E., Rayment, W., & Dawson, S. (2006). Offshore distribution of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand: Is the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary large enough? New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 40(2), 333-343. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2006.9517425
Slooten, E., Dawson, S., Rayment, W., & Childerhouse, S. (2006). A new abundance estimate for Maui's dolphin: What does it mean for managing this critically endangered species? Biological Conservation, 128(4), 576-581. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2005.10.013
2005
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, L. A., Dawson, S. M., & Jaquet, N. (2005). Click rates and silences of sperm whales at Kaikoura, New Zealand. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 118(1), 523-529.
Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2005). Management of gillnet bycatch of cetaceans in New Zealand. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management, 7(1), 59-64.
Gormley, A. M., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Bräger, S. (2005). Capture-recapture estimates of Hector's dolphin abundance at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 21(2), 204-216.
Journal - Research Other
Dawson, S. M. (2005). Pseudoreplication problems in studies of dolphin and porpoise reaction to pingers [Note]. Marine Mammal Science, 21(1), 175-176.
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., Rayment, W. J., & Childerhouse, S. J. (2005). Distribution of Maui's dolphin, Cephalorhyncus hectori maui. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries. 19p.
2004
Journal - Research Article
Rhinelander, M. Q., & Dawson, S. M. (2004). Measuring sperm whales from their clicks: Stability of interpulse intervals and validation that they indicate whale length. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 115(4), 1826-1831.
Dawson, S., Slooten, E., DuFresne, S., Wade, P., & Clement, D. (2004). Small-boat surveys for coastal dolphins: Line-transect surveys for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Fishery Bulletin, 102(3), 441-451.
Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., & Rayment, W. J. (2004). Aerial surveys for coastal dolphins: Abundance of Hector's dolphins off the South Island west coast, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 20(3), 477-490. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2004.tb01173.x
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Dawson, S. (2004). Acoustic and ecological research on sperm whales at Kaikoura, New Zealand. International Workshop on Comprehensive Assessment of Sperm Whales.
2003
Chapter in Book - Research
Pichler, F. B., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2003). Hector's dolphins and fisheries in New Zealand: A species at risk. In N. J. Gales, M. A. Hindell & R. Kirkwood (Eds.), Marine mammals: Fisheries, tourism and management issues. (pp. 153-173). Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO.
Brett, T., Carter, L., Carter, R. M., Darby, J., Davis, L., Dawson, S., Jillett, J., Probert, K., & Spencer, H. (2003). The open sea. In J. T. Darby, R. E. Fordyce, A. F. Mark, P. K. Probert & C. R. Townsend (Eds.), The natural history of Southern New Zealand. (pp. 313-338). Dunedin: University of Otago Press.
Journal - Research Article
Garcia, C., & Dawson, S. M. (2003). Distribution of pantropical spotted dolphins in Pacific coastal waters of Panama. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 2(1), 29-38.
Dickie, G., & Dawson, S. M. (2003). Age, growth, and reproduction in New Zealand fur seals. Marine Mammal Science, 19(1), 173-185.
Lusseau, D., Schneider, K., Boisseau, O. J., Haase, P. A., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (2003). The bottlenose dolphin community of Doubtful Sound features a large proportion of long-lasting associations. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology, 54, 396-405.
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Richter, C. F., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2003). Sperm whale watching off Kaikoura, New Zealand: Effects of current activities on surfacing and vocalisation patterns [Science for Conservation 219]. Wellington, New Zealand: Department for Conservation. 74p. Retrieved from https://www.doc.govt.nz/
2002
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, S. M. (2002). Cephalorhynchus dolphins. In W. F. Perrin, B. Wurisg & J. G. M. Thewissen (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. (pp. 200-203). San Diego: Academic Press.
Journal - Research Article
Fletcher, D. J., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2002). Designing a mark-recapture study to allow for local emigration. Journal of Agricultural, Biological & Environmental Statistics, 7(4), 586-593.
Lettevall, E., Richter, C. F., Jaquet, N., Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., Whitehead, H., … McCall-Howard, P. (2002). Social structure and residency in aggregations of male sperm whales. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80, 1189-1196.
McConkey, S. D., Lalas, C., & Dawson, S. M. (2002). Moult and changes in body shape and pelage in known-age male New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 29, 53-61.
Brager, S., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., Smith, S., Stone, G. S., & Yoshinaga, A. (2002). Site fidelity and along-shore range in Hector's dolphin, an endangered marine dolphin from New Zealand. Biological Conservation, 108, 281-287.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., & Rayment, W. (2002). Quantifying abundance of Hector's dolphins between Farewell Spit and Milford Sound. Commissioned by Published client report on contract 3076, funded by Conservation Services Levy. Http://csl.doc.govt.nz/dsis35.pdf: Department of Conservation, Wellington, NZ. 18p.
2001
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, S. M. (2001). Fine-scale abundance estimates from the 2000/2001 aerial survey of Hector's dolphins on the South Island west coast. DOC Science Internal Series, 21, 1-9.
Dawson, S. M., Pichler, F. B., Slooten, E., Russell, K., & Baker, C. S. (2001). The North Island Hector's dolphin is vulnerable to extinction. Marine Mammal Science, 17(2), 366-371.
Jaquet, N., Dawson, S. M., & Douglas, L. (2001). Vocal behaviour of male sperm whales: Why do they click? Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 109(5, Pt 1), 2254-2256. doi: 10.1121/1.1360718
Bejder, L., & Dawson, S. M. (2001). Abundance, residency, and habitat utilisation of Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) in Porpoise Bay, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 35, 277-287.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., & Du Fresne, S. (2001). Report on interactions between Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) and a Golden Bay mussel farm. Commissioned by Environment Canterbury. Dunedin: Department of Zoology, University of Otago.
Clement, D., Slooten, E., Dawson, S. M., & DuFresne, S. (2001). Line-transect survey of Hector's dolphin abundance between Farewell Spit and Motunau. Commissioned by Published client report on contract 3075, funded by Conservation Services Levy. http://csl.doc.govt.nz/CSL3075.pdf: Department of Conservation, Wellington, NZ.
Du Fresne, S., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (2001). Line-transect Survey of Hector's Dolphin Abundance Between Timaru and Long Point, and Effect of Attraction to Survey Vessel. Commissioned by Published client report on contract 3074, funded by Conservation Services Levy.. http://csl.doc.govt.nz/CSL3074.pdf: Department of Conservation, Wellington, NZ. 19p.
2000
Journal - Research Article
Jaquet, N., Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2000). Seasonal distribution and diving behaviour of male sperm whales off Kaikoura: Foraging implications. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78(3), 407-419. doi: 10.1139/z99-208
Brager, S., Chong, A. K., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Wursig, B. (2000). A combined stereo-photogrammetry and underwater-video system to study group composition of dolphins. Helgoland Marine Research, 53(2), 122-128.
Darby, J., & Dawson, S. M. (2000). Bycatch of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) in gillnets in New Zealand waters 1979-1997. Biological Conservation, 83, 327-332.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Dawson, S. M., Du Fresne, S., Slooten, E., & Wade, P. R. (2000). Line-transect Survey of Hector's Dolphin Abundance Between Motunau and Timaru. Commissioned by Published client report on contract 3072, funded by Conservation Services Levy. Http://csl.doc.govt.nz/CSL3072.pdf: Department of Conservation, Wellington, NZ. 18p.
1999
Journal - Research Article
Bejder, L., Dawson, S. M., & Harraway, J. A. (1999). Responses by Hector's dolphins to boats and swimmers in Porpoise Bay, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 15(3), 738-750.
Martien, K. K., Taylor, B. L., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (1999). A sensitivity analysis to guide research and management for Hector's dolphin. Biological Conservation, 90, 183-191.
Cameron, C., Barker, R. J., Fletcher, D. J., Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (1999). Modelling survival of Hector's dolphins around Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Journal of Agricultural, Biological & Environmental Statistics, 4(2), 126-135.
Jones, P. J. F., Hannah, D. J., Buckley, S. M., Van Maanen, T., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., … Donoghue, M. (1999). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls in New Zealand cetaceans. Journal Cetacean Res Manage, (Spec Issue 1), 157-167.
1998
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, S. M., Read, A. J., & Slooten, E. (1998). Pingers, porpoises and power: Uncertainties with using pingers to reduce bycatch of small cetaceans. Biological Conservation, 84(2), 141-146.
Dawson, S. M., Barlow, J., & Ljungblad, D. K. (1998). Sounds recorded from Baird's beaked whales Berardius bairdi. Marine Mammal Science, 14(2), 335-344.
Schneider, K., Baird, R. B., Dawson, S. M., & Childerhouse, S. J. (1998). Reactions of bottlenose dolphins to tagging attempts using a remotely-deployed suction-cup tag. Marine Mammal Science, 14(2), 316-324.
Lewis, K. B., Garlick, R. D., & Dawson, S. M. (1998). Kaikoura canyon: depths, texture and whale sightings. NIWA Chart Miscellaneous series no. 78. NIWA Ocean.
Pichler, F. B., Dawson, S. M., Slooten, E., & Baker, C. S. (1998). Geographic isolation of Hector's dolphin populations described by mitochondrial DNA sequences. Conservation Biology, 12(3), 676-682.
1997
Journal - Research Article
Parsons, S., Thorpe, C. W., & Dawson, S. M. (1997). Echolocation calls of the long-tailed bat: a quantitative analysis of types of calls. Journal of Mammalogy, 79(3), 964-976.
1996
Authored Book - Research
Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (1996). Down-under Dolphins: The story of Hector's Dolphin. Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury University Press, 60p.
Journal - Research Article
Childerhouse, S. J., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (1996). Stability of fluke marks used in individual photo-identification of sperm whales at Kaikoura, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 12, 447-451.
1995
Journal - Research Article
Childerhouse, S. J., Dawson, S. M., & Slooten, E. (1995). Abundance and seasonal residence of sperm whales at Kaikoura, New Zealand. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 73, 723-731.
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. M. (1995). Conservation of marine mammals in New Zealand. Pacific Conservation Biology, 2, 64-76.