The Dolphin Research Institute began Community Dolphin Watch in 1994. It began as a day held in January and then turned into a week-long event. The public was asked to note if they saw dolphins during particular dates and pass these sightings onto the Institute. We are now in the process of extending this to a year-round sighting network, which will involve the community on a number of levels in providing us with useful dolphin sighting information. Along with individuals, we hope to have a network that will involve yacht clubs, fishing and dive charters, lifesaving clubs, the Coast Guard and many others.
Why Is It Important To Report Sightings?
Although we seem to have a healthy dolphin population in the Bay at the moment, there are a number of pressures that have the potential to impact upon them and other marine life. Threats include pollution, introduced species, coastal development, overfishing, aquaculture and a growing tourism industry. In order to minimise and manage such threats, we need to know as much about the dolphins and their movements as possible.
The Dolphin Research Institute does not have the resources to be in the field all of the time, nor can we adequately cover both Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. Therefore to identify and measure threats, we need as many eyes on the water as possible to cover those times when we are not around. Sighting information can tell us a lot about the dolphins' movements and habitat requirements, providing vital baseline information that can be used to determine future research and management priorities. Sighting information is also important as a monitoring technique because dolphins are good indicators of the health of the marine environment. Dolphins are very sensitive to changes, as they are at top of the food chain, thus any drastic changes may be an indication of what is happening in their environment. Such knowledge is vital for the best management of our local marine regions.
The community needs to take pride in and be responsible for our marine environments and by sharing your knowledge, important messages can be passed on to all.
What Have We Learned From Community Sightings?
Since 1994, we have received sightings from all around the Bay, including the occasional one up the Yarra River! There have also been reports of sightings in Westernport Bay, but we are yet unsure as to how important this region is to the dolphins. We were able to confirm through photo-identification, that the dolphins probably move between both of the Bays. We have also received a number of whale sightings over the years, usually southern right whales and occasionally killer whales
How To Help - Victorian Sightings Only Please!
It is very easy for you to take action in protecting the marine environment and also help the Institute. You can either submit your sighting information via the web or print out a sighting form and post it to us at the address provided. The sighting form is simple to fill out and asks for details such as date, time, number of dolphins, behaviour, etc. It really helps us if you can fill in as much information as possible. Even if you are on, or watching, the water and do not see dolphins, this information will help, particularly if you visit and observe in this area regularly. This sort of information can give us a better idea of how often dolphins use that area. And remember, we don't want to know just about dolphins!! If you see whales, seals, penguins or any other form of marine life that you are interested in, pass it on to us. It is all important information.
If you are on a boat, remember that whales and dolphins are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. Obey the Whale Watching Regulations and stay 100m away, or 30m if you are swimming
Sightings are entered into a database that already contains hundreds of sightings since 1993. All information is confidential and site specific information is not released. The information will allow us to identify important areas and if necessary, push for their protection. It may also lead to the identification of local issues or even wider threats that need to be addressed. You can help us to ensure the well being of dolphins and their marine environment.
Stranded Animals - What To Do
Unfortunately, it is not unusual to come across a dead dolphin, washed up on a beach or floating offshore. Those that have stranded in the past generally appeared to have passed away of old age. However, we cannot be certain of this, as there is not a specialised veterinarian within Victoria able to perform autopsies to truly determine cause of death.
We have been lucky so far, to have no documented mass strandings of live animals in Port Phillip Bay. It is always a possibility that we may one day have whales or dolphins strand and we must be prepared for such an event. Although there are many theories as to why whales and dolphins strand, we still do not really know the exact reasons. While we are still trying to figure this out, there must be response plans in place to deal with strandings. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is addressing this and has developed the Victorian Cetacean Contingency Plan. This will ensure that the response is as quick as possible and the least stressful for the animals. If you happen to find a stranded whale or dolphin, you should notify the appropriate wildlife department within your state or territory.
If you happen to be the first person on the scene of a live stranding, you need to take the following steps:
-Notify the authorities as soon as possible
-Check for dangers to yourself and the animal
-Don't try to return the animal to the sea - WAIT until the authorities arrive. In the meantime, keep the following in mind:
Rinse sand from the eyes and around the blowhole with water, but do not pour water into the blowhole!
Keep the skin from drying out by either pouring water over the animal or covering them with a cloth kept damp (do not cover the blowhole or pour water over it)
Do not pull on the head, flippers, flukes or dorsal fin but do try to roll the animal upright so that the blowhole is clear of water and sand;
Try to point the animal's body away from breaking waves;
Keep the animal as calm as possible, once you think it is comfortable stand away from it whilst monitoring its condition
Try not to get too close to teeth and the flukes, as when distressed, the animal may thrash about or bite you
-When the authorities arrive, they will see to the animals and coordinate a response plan.
If you find a dead dolphin or whale, you need to notify the appropriate authorities and make sure that no one interferes with the remains. It is important to have carcasses removed as they are a potential health risk and are also quite upsetting for many people to see. When the Institute is notified of a dead dolphin, we will attend to take photos and measurements before Fisheries and Wildlife or council arranges for the animal's removal.
Who to Contact if in Australia
VICTORIA
NSW
Department of Sustainability & Environment Call Centre 136 186
Wildlife Victoria 0500 540 000
Dolphin Research Institute
1300 130 949
National Parks & Wildlife Service
1300 361 967
ORRCA (Marine Mammal Rescue & Research) (02) 9415 3333
QLD
NT
Department of Natural Resources & Mines (07) 3896 3111
SeaWorld (07) 5588 2222
Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (08) 8999 5511
Wildlife Rescue (08) 8999 4536
WA
SA
Department of Conservation & Land Management - Marine Branch
(08) 9336 0100
TAS
Parks & Wildlife Service
1300 135 513
Department of Environment & Heritage - coastal protection
(08) 8124 4877
SA Museum
(08) 8207 7500
Or your closest National Parks Office
Outside Australia
If you live outside Australia, you need to contact your local fisheries and wildlife department. There may also be a community or research organisation within your country that you can contact in the event of a stranding. Government departments usually know of these, or an Internet search may be useful in locating such groups. Have some contact numbers handy so that you can quickly contact the appropriate people in a stranding situation.
