Dolphin Research Australia
Conserving Through Research
We’ve Changed Our Name!!
We're now Dolphin Research Australia!
Our successes over the last few years have led to some exciting changes!! The evolution has led us to change our name to Dolphin Research Australia (formerly Dolphin Ecology & Acoustics Project). These changes are exciting, so stay tuned for some big developments over the next year!!!
Navy Training Causes Whale Death?
A 3-year-old member of an endangered orca population in the Pacific North West found dead on a Washington State beach recently was blown up, according to Ken Balcomb, director of the locally-based Center for Whale Research.
The body of Sooke, was found on the beach on February 11th 2012, just days after the Canadian Navy held training exercises in nearby waters.
Experts performing an autopsy on Sooke’s carcass say that it will be at least a month before they are ready to release any fi...
Adopt-A-Dolphin & Win!
What better way to show a loved one you care by making them a dolphin guardian this Christmas!
The SCU Dolphin Ecology & Acoustics Project has some beautiful dolphins up for adoption. They are ambassadors for their species and the marine environment and they are in need of protection now more than ever!
For only $55 you can become a dolphin guardian. Go to our Dolphin Profiles page and choose your dolphin.
Adopt-A-Dolphin for yourself or a loved one and you could win some great ...
Update from the Field
The Dolphin Ecology & Acoustics Project team have been busy in the field in South East Queensland. This season has had some great weather and the team of sighted Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, common dolphins and of course, bottlenose dolphins. The last few surveys have seen a number of newborn common dolphins in groups resting off the Tweed/Kirra Beaches and also off the Southport Seaway. It has been very interesting for the team to study these species which are still a big myste...
Humans implicated in multiple dolphin deaths
Human interference has been linked to multiple deaths of dolphins in recent months in Australia. In December two neonate bottlenose dolphin calves were found to have fatal injuries from human interference. One was found washed up on the Portsea Back Beach in Victoria, suffering a major trauma to its skull and jaw including a broken mandible. Local tour operators informed the ABC that they believe jet skiers have intentionally targeted dolphins in the area. Seven News reported...
Dolphins & Plastics
Throughout the world, the levels of plastic debris are increasing dramatically. Recent research into the levels of plastic ingestion in Fransiscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina demonstrate the levels of exposure coastal dolphins have to these potentially fatal sources of pollution. Researchers found that of the 106 Franciscana dolphins studied, 28% had plastic debris in their stomach. The percentage of plastic debris was higher in estuarine compared to marine enviro...
Whale Fest 2011!!
Whale Fest 2011 is set to take off with a bang in celebration of the return of the humpback whales and their local cousins, the dolphins. Whale Fest 2011 will showcase the rich cultural diversity of the northern NSW region as well as integrating science, conservation, education and art into one event in celebration of the whales returning to our seas on their annual migration.
WhaleFest 2011 will take place on Saturday, June 18 from 2pm until late at Durrumbul Hall, Mullumbimby, and wil...
Byron Bay Winter 2011 Season Begins
Our Winter 2011 dolphin research season in Byron Bay has just begun. Our field team are rugged up and ready for this exciting season. With a quiet start on Sunday and some cold rain on Monday, today was a great sunny day with lots of dolphins feeding and milling around Cape Byron. This season will also welcome the humpback whales as they commence their annual migration north to the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. We are hoping for some great weather to continue the dol...
Dolphin Update from the Field
Our Gold Coast Dolphin Project is in its 3rd week and is making some great progress. Weather hasn’t been the greatest in past weeks, however we have still made many sightings and identifications of dolphins AND just yesterday spotted our very first Sousa (humpback dolphin)!!! Liz managed to sneak a quick dorsal fin shot in before he made a run for the coast.
This week the weather has been kind to us allowing us to venture offshore where we have discovered to what looks like the majori...
Taiji Dolphin Drive Fishery Update
Taiji dolphin drive fishery update Each year in Japan from September to April fisherman round up and slaughter thousands of dolphins and small whales under a veil of secrecy and false pretences. In a small fishing town called Taiji, entire schools of dolphins are driven into a cove protected from the public eye and killed or sold. After welcomed media surrounding the movie ‘The Cove’ many people may now be aware of the atrocities involved in the Taiji dolphin drive fishery, which is the ...
New Insight into Humpback Whales
Tourist accidentally reveals new insight into humpback biology
In the past decades researchers have discovered a lot about the secret life of humpback whales and their migration. This species is known to travel incredible distances from south to north and back (for example from Antarctica to the warmer waters of eastern Australia and Fiji) along many coastlines in the world.
Researchers gained this information by the use of a database in which they are able to identify the diff...
Adopt-A-Dolphin as a Gift for a Loved One
We have 6 beautiful and very special dolphins that are available for adoption with all funds raised helping to conserve and protect Australia's dolphin populations. Each dolphin has it's own special characteristics and are part of the wild Byron Bay resident population. A dolphin adoption is a unique gift for a loved one who can learn more about each dolphin with the researchers. All dolphin guardians will receive an exclusive gift pack only available to those who adopt-a-dolphin. Fo...
Next Dolphin Sighting Network Workshop
The next Dolphin Sighting Network workshop will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Ballina, 30th September 2010 from 6pm- 8pm. Come and learn all about dolphin ecology, their biology & how you can help the research team learn more about Australia's dolphin populations. By coming along to one of our workshops you will become a certified Network member. Just follow the links to find out more about our Dolphin Sighting Network! Bookings are essential for the workshop. Bookings can be m...
DEAP heads to the Gold Coast
The DEAP team has been awarded a $71,000 national competitive grant from the Australian Marine Mammal Centre to study dolphins in the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads region.
The grant will fund research that will investigate the abundance and habitat preferences of coastal dolphins from Jumpinpin near South Stradbroke Island to the Tweed river mouth.
Dr Liz Hawkins said the research was the first of its kind in the region.
“Very little is known about the dolphin populations on the Gold...
Dolphin Sighting Network Workshop
Come and learn all about dolphin biology and ecology at our upcoming Dolphin Sighting Network Workshop, 6th August 2010 at the Gecko House, Currumbin, Qld. The workshop covers all sorts of topics including how dolphins feed, how they recognise each other, how you can identify different species and how you can become part of the research by reporting your dolphins sightings. It is a special workshop presented by DEAP researchers and the only workshop of its kind in Australia! You can be...
Winter Season 2010 Ends
The Dolphin Ecology & Acoustics Project Winter 2010 field season has now come to an end. We had some great weather along the way, with some of the clearest visibility we've seen all year. Lots of dolphins as always and also lots of feeding with lots of prey species migrating along the coast. We were also blessed with many humpback whales who the dolphins would often associate with and travel along side as the whales headed north to their winter breeding and birthing grounds. Than...
Oil Spill Effects Cetaceans of the Gulf
The Gulf of Mexico oil leak continues to spill out over 4 million litres (higher end estimate) of oil each day and is one of the worst that has occurred on Earth. It began over 70 days ago and now stretches along 190km of coastline. The spill threatens the very core of the natural ecosystems in the area and along with it, the species that call it home.
The Gulf of Mexico is home to over 19 species of cetaceans including; bottlenose dolphin, beaked whales, sperm whales and the highly endan...
Marine Debris Causes Whale Deaths
A recent paper published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin reports on the results of the cause of death of two sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded in 2008 along the coast of California. The cause of death was a result of the ingestion of large amounts of fishing net scraps, rope and other plastic debris that was found in their stomachs. One animal had a ruptured stomach, and the other was emaciated. Gastric impaction was suspected as the cause of both deaths with over 134 dif...
Winter Season 2010
Our winter 2010 field season in Byron Bay is just about to begin. The season will go for three weeks from Monday 14th June to Monday 5th July. We are now recruiting volunteers and interns who would like to be part of this season. We usually have great weather this time of year and there's pleanty to see with lots of dolphins passing through and whales as well! If you are interested in partipating, please send us an e-mail at info@dolphinresearchaustralia.com
TO THE SEA Art Exhibition & Fundraiser
TO THE SEA
A DOLPHIN ECOLOGY AND ACOUSTICS PROJECT SPECIAL EVENT.
To celebrate the launch of DEAP's two newest programs 'Adopt a Dolphin' and 'The Dolphin Sighting Network' we're throwing ourselves a little fundraiser. And what better way to do so than through an ode to the seaside represented in the artworks and photographs donated by some of the areas best talent.
So come help out our little dolphin friends and feast your eyes upon a sea of lovely artworks and photos, all up for sale with a...
