BEACH INTERACTION ZONE

Dolphin interaction may occur in the " Interaction Zone" located in the shallow water in front of the centre. Historically speaking, visitations tend to occur more frequently during the months October through to April. price.


When do the Dolphins visit?
The visits which are initiated by these wild mammals, can occur at any time of the day and may last from between 5 minutes to 1 hour per visit. As these are wild animals the centre cannot guarantee visits on any particular day or at any particular time, most frequent visitations tend to occur in the mornings.

Since 1990, 34 different dolphins have visited the Zone. Dorsal fins were used to identify each dolphin and a name was given if dolphins became regular visitors.

Each time a dolphin visits the Zone, a volunteer must provide:

• The dolphin's name and sex (if known)
• An estimate of the number of dolphins within the Bay and the number that visit the Interaction Zone.
• Information to people regarding the guidlelines that must be followed.

• Visitors are encouraged by our volunteer team to join them, as they enter into waist deep water where the dolphins can swim near them
• No touching allowed
• People must stay within the markers
• If a dolphin moves outside of the Interaction Zone then people are not to follow
• Do not try to attract a dolphin by clapping hands or splashing the surface of the water

Do we feed the Dolphins?
Times have changed. Research now proves that unregulated and excessive feeding of wild dolphins alters their behaviour, leading to a “taming’” of wild animals.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre conducts feeding under regulation from the Department of Environment and Conservation.  This feeding regime is strictly controlled and limited to 350 grams of fish per day.  This is a small amount given that, in order to survive, a dolphin in these waters needs approximately 8-14 kilograms of fish a day.The fish offered to the dolphins is local to the Bay and therefore of the same type that the dolphins catch themselves.  Fish are not used if they are deemed not fit for human consumption.The dolphins within the Bay feed on various fish including whitebait, herring, flounder, garfish, mullet, cobbler, flat head, pilchards, skippy and tailor.  They have also been known to catch octopus and cuttlefish.