ACE group preparing to launch May 20th 2011

An exciting ACE Dolphin Watch semester programme funded by a 2011 Adult Community Education Foundation Skills Grant organised by Regional Development Australia –Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, kicked off on Friday 20^th May in quite difficult conditions. With a 10 – 15 knot North Easterly blowing and overcast skies, visibility was limited. Success came incrementally with firstly a female and juvenile appearing off North Cape. They were joined shortly afterwards by two more adult dolphins and following a trip around the cape to visit the New Zealand fur seal colony, the pod gradually grew to eleven in size, including five juveniles.

Excellent photographic images proved a sound basis for a successful downloading workshop with confirmed sightings of known dolphins and new ID’s, at the TAFE Centre in Kingscote on return. A scrumptious lunch from Country Cottage organised by Cathie Tydeman; RDA Project Development Officer and driving force for this innovative programme, was a welcome reward on a day when chilly conditions made research that little bit more uncomfortable.

A great day none the less, thanks to all participants for their fantastic work, cooperation and good humour throughout.

Bobby and Nicola enjoying the moment

One of the original Dolphin Watch student leaders for several years, Bobby Hale, returned to KI recently to visit family with his UK girlfriend Nicola, a fellow dolphin lover. On Sunday 15^th May they joined other community members on a field survey to North Cape. A group of atleast 26 dolphins including four juveniles frolicked and cavorted around the boat in very light conditions allowing for excellent photographic ID work. Two known animals were easily identified; 007F Kimba and 334 Tiki, both monitored during Bobby’s involvement. A great welcome home to Bobby who was a very active participant, excellent role model and mentor, introducing the Dolphin Watch programme to mainland schools.

Claire Thwaites, Editor of “The Times” accompanied the group and wrote an article about the project. Her infectious enthusiasm was a highlight and augurs well for future coverage and support. Liason and organisation by Tori Williams, Education Officer at the Whale Centre, were greatly appreciated by all concerned and were instrumental in the successful launch of the project.

American River Channel

Long term charter fishing skipper Philip “Scratchy” Connell reported a very unusual observation from Sunday 10^th April. While travelling out from American River, between the 3^rd and 4^th channel markers, an Eagle Ray was seen to jump clear of the water, apparently attempting to escape and “fly” away. Closer inspection indicated two adult dolphins and a juvenile attacking the ray in 1.8 metres of water. After 5 – 10 minutes of sustained attack the ray was left upside down, inert, apparently dead on the sea floor as the dolphins moved off. In all his years of fishing Philip reports he has never seen anything like this before. Neither had any of the six people on board at the time.

In the book “The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation” by John E. Reynolds III, Randall S. Wells and Samantha D. Eide on page127 the following quote is made.

“As noted earlier, dolphins also interact with stingrays, sometimes with fatal results. Because dolphins and stingrays share the same shallow aquatic habitat they are bound to come into contact. Physical contact by the dolphin can result in dolphin injury and mortality. Stingray barbs have been found in a number of animals along the central west coast of Florida since 1987. At least four dolphins between 1987 and 1992 died because of these barbs.”

Parndana students and staff enjoy 5th Birthday celebrations

A stunning day provided the perfect backdrop for Parndana Campus students’ fifth birthday field survey to Dashwood Bay on Thursday 7^th April. A bright sunny Autumn day with little or no wind provided excellent conditions for observations and photographic identification work. Again the raised observation seat at the stern of KI Marine Adventures “Zeehund” was an instant hit with students who rotated through the platform, obtaining outstanding images though crystal clear waters.

Half the usual pod were sighted very early in the trip at an area referred to as the “fruit salad patch” by local commercial fishers due to the wide variety of species caught there. The female and juvenile combinations were obviously enjoying the conditions and utilising them for good learning and instructing opportunities. Continuing on to Dashwood Bay another fourteen animals, including a new calf showing foetal folds, greeted the students and provided a high energy display of feeding activity. As the first group sighted appeared, following their travels, the hydrophone yielded a lot of excited chatter, delighting all on board. Mark, an Irish scientist from SARDI working with rock lobster fishers joined the students on board and was able to provide information with respect to Cetacean movement patterns in the United Kingdom and Ireland, in particular.

The final fifth birthday celebration for Dolphin Watch was enjoyed at the Emu Bay jetty upon return with yet another magnificent cake from Wayne Loechel at the Kangaroo Island Bakery. A perfect end to a perfect field trip with an excellent data set obtained for further analysis.

Kaitlin on a field trip in December 2009

Congratulations Kaitlin!

Long term Dolphin Watch member Kaitlin Taylor won the prestigious Flinders Park Environment Award in the 2011 Channel Nine Young Achievers Awards on the 26^th of March. Kaitlin, a Year 11 student at Kangaroo Island Community Education, has been an active member of the Dolphin Watch group since 2006 and has been very much a leading light, a role model and mentor, representing Dolphin Watch with visiting students and adult groups, media etc, and at schools on the mainland. She was awarded a trophy and received a $1,000 cheque as part of the award. It is wonderful to see Kaitlin’s outstanding efforts recognised in this manner.

Jessica and Jacinta presenting a cheque to Tony of KI Dolphin Watch

Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch was delighted to receive a cheque for AU $140 from two young supporters recently. Jessica Rowe and Jacinta Paardecooper are extremely interested in dolphins and whales and totally committed to assisting with their protection and conservation. The girls initiated a number of projects including an information stall at a local market, donation tins etc, resulting in considerable personal effort turning into much needed funds to support Dolphin Watch’s research and conservation work. They also created a photographic display of known animals from the American River / Pelican Lagoon section of the Dolphin Watch catalogue at the Oyster Farm Shop in American River, with the help of their parents. Members of the local community and visitors are encouraged to feed in information regarding the local dolphin population, augmenting research efforts.

Jessica’s parents Amanda and Ken Rowe who operate Kangaroo Island Shellfish and the Oyster Farm Shop, are hoping in the near future to equip their workers with cameras to help capture images of the dolphins around their oyster leases, providing much needed information regarding distribution, seasonal patterns of movement and behaviours etc. This level of scrutiny will significantly increase both understanding and protection of the local dolphin population.

Sincere thanks and congratulations to Jessica and Jacinta, and to Amanda and Ken, for their fantastic ongoing efforts. Their passion and commitment is greatly appreciated and provides a wonderful example to others.

Adelaide University perspective from Assoc. Prof. Sean Connell

An inspiring example of cooperation between elements of conservation, education and corporate worlds was exhibited at the Kangaroo Island Marine Interpretive / Science Centre Forum in the world class Aurora Ozone Conference Facility on the weekend of the 5^th and 6^th of March. A joint initiative between owners, partners and managers of the Aurora Ozone Hotel, the Aurora Group and Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch resulted in a number of interested parties and stakeholders coming together to develop a concept plan for a Marine Science Institute to be established on Kangaroo Island. Focus speakers from a broad spectrum of interests and institutions presented a series of perspectives to inform workshop groups and help define the nature of the multi purpose facility under discussion. The underlying principles that such a development should bring economic benefit to Kangaroo Island, value adding to the existing business community while enhancing the protection and conservation of the island’s unique marine environment, were clearly evident in discussions and the ensuing preferred model for development.

Following intensive workshops the model described by Associate Professor Sean Connell from Adelaide University based on the Heron Island facility in Queensland, was seen as a “best fit” with a high yield accommodation facility for research students being used to support a high quality but low yield research centre, created with an intent of scientific excellence. Kangaroo Island’s relatively pristine waters are recognised globally as offering unparalleled research opportunities.