COMMUNITY DOLPHIN WATCH
What is the Community Dolphin Watch Project?
Introduced by the Dolphin Discovery Centre (DDC) and funded by the South Western Times, the project has been developed to record dolphin sightings within the Bunbury region. The area of the project includes Koombana Bay, the Leschenault Estuary and the Indian Ocean north to Binningup and south to Dunsborough. The aim of the project is to develop a dolphin-sighting network within the local community to assist the DDC in accumulating as much information as possible about the dolphins and the entire marine environment.
Who Should be Involved?
Along with individuals, the network also involves the local yacht clubs, fishing and dive charters, lifesaving clubs, the coast guard, the Bunbury Port Authority, local tourism operators and many others.
Why is it Important to Report Sightings?
Although we seem to have a healthy population of dolphins in the area at the moment, there are a number of pressures that have the potential to impact upon them and other marine life. Threats include coastal development, overfishing, pollution, introduced species, industry and the tourism industry. We are also having a difficult time trying to understand exactly how many dolphins there actually are and how their patterns of movement change over time. 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.
Who is the Dolphin Discovery Centre?
The Dolphin Discovery Centre was opened in 1994, and is the first Centre in Australia dedicated entirely to dolphin education. The Centre is managed by the Bunbury Dolphin Trust, a non–profit, community based association formally established and incorporated in 1989. Located in Bunbury, Western Australia, our ultimate aim is to ensure the long term welfare of the dolphins and their environment is protected.
The DDC has the following objectives:
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Education
To provide educational opportunities for the general public and schools. To develop an understanding of marine mammals and their environment, through interaction with the dolphins of Koombana Bay.
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Conservation
To support and contribute to the conservation of marine mammals and their environment.
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Research
To encourage, support and conduct research into the well being of all dolphins and their environment. To endeavour to accumulate knowledge for better marine management and conservation.
- Tourism
To provide residents, visitors and tourists with a fascinating learning experience centred upon marine mammals and their environment.
 Community Dolphin Watch project information (110 KB)
Dolphin Spotter Sheet (114 KB)
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