Photos: Dolphin Research Institute, taken under scientific permit
As reported in previous editions of Mornington Peninsula Magazine, a unique community of normally oceanic common dolphins has colonised part of the Mornington Peninsula coast in Port Phillip. This special group of dolphins continues to thrive in our bay, and it is with great excitement that the Dolphin Research Institute is able to report that no fewer than five new calves were born this autumn. This is truly remarkable and highly significant in the context of Port Phillip’s natural values.
The five calves were all born to known females in the community and they appear to be doing well, putting on size and beginning to socialise with one another. It’s quite exciting to think that this amazing group of animals continues to do so well while some other coastal dolphin populations around Australia are in decline.
This community of dolphins has been monitored by the Dolphin Research Institute since their discovery in 2005, when just 13 individuals were known from the area. Today this number exceeds 80 and we are now seeing a third generation of these animals calling our bay their home.
None of this knowledge would be in hand if it wasn’t for the long-term monitoring that has been undertaken by the Dolphin Research Institute with the support of local community members, volunteers, and more recently our inaugural research fellow and newly appointed assistant research fellow. The additions to the research team constitute a major step forward for the institute and one that represents the next generation of marine scientists, who it is hoped will help to continue this important work into the future.
If you’d like to catch a glimpse of our common dolphins, now is a great time to do this. Winter is the time of year when we expect the dolphins to move closer to the coast as they follow their preferred prey – small baitfish. Pick a calm day with good light and take a pair of binoculars to any clifftop between Mount Eliza and Mount Martha. Be prepared to move around, spending time at a few locations. When at a site, scan the water looking for feeding birds and/or disturbances on the water’s surface. If you’re lucky you may just spot some of our marine locals – and if you do see some and would like to help our work, please log your sighting using our whale and dolphin sighting app PodWatch at https://www.dolphinresearch.org.au/research/report-sightings/
To help protect our common dolphin community, please report any dolphin harassment by calling 13 61 86. Victorian Government regulations prohibit vessels from approaching dolphins closer than 100m, or 300m for jetskis.
To learn more about whales and dolphins in our region, or to find out about becoming an Adopt-A-Dolphin supporter, visit the Dolphin Research Institute website at www.dolphinresearch.org.au
DAVID DONNELLY, Dolphin Research Institute research officer
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