Citizen Science experiences and accomplishments for a busy year so far have been many and varied, often involving meaningful collaborations and supportive efforts!

Ongoing monthly research survey effort continues, weather permitting, on Kangaroo Island (233 to date) and in Victor Harbor (134 to date) resulting in significant data collection and fantastic on water encounters. A number of regular intensive data workshops, punctuated with a variety of enthusiastic visitors have been very productive and most enjoyable.

Using this data to continue efforts for greater protection and conservation of critical habitat areas underpins our core business.  Metrics provide us with invaluable insights into the effectiveness of our project which relates directly to the health and welfare of marine biodiversity in the region and particularly in the Kangaroo Island North Coast Hope Spot, working towards the Mission Blue goals:  WISH, ACT, PROTECT. www.missionblue.org

Dolphins acting as ecological bio indicators of the health of marine environments is well understood and the role they give us in providing these snapshots and information cannot be underestimated, with an emerging focus on the need to protect migratory pathways and corridors between critical habitat areas.

Vital ongoing and extensive Citizen Science data collection along the North West coast of KI since 2021 by Research and Discovery Coastal Tours KI, researching a range of marine species and birds, a number of which are endangered, is fantastic! Generously incorporating their dolphin data collection and collation into Dolphin Watch longitudinal data sets is being undertaken providing a great opportunity to extend the areas of research for Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch. RAD KI offers access to previously unexplored sites, as well as providing valuable opportunities to educate widely about the importance of marine environments and in particular the North Coast Hope Spot. www.radki.com.au

Celebrating our 18th year on Kangaroo Island on Survey 231 to Dashwood Bay in March was made extra special with the makeup of the crew. Joining a mix of regular and new volunteers were visitor Steve from the UK, Landscapes Board Reef Restoration Officer Alex Comino, and Leah George – one of the original Dolphin Watch crew from right back in the beginning 18 years ago! Gary Bell of KI Digicam, a long term sponsor and supporter and creator of a number of media materials for us from the very beginning, joined us on survey again with his latest photographic equipment and trademark enthusiasm, passion, energy and humour. Truly a happy celebration with 30+ Bottlenose dolphins relaxing in the shallows in critical habitat in the North Coast Mission Blue Hope Spot. A great day on the water with perfect conditions for data collection, topped off afterwards by happy celebrations and a delightful cake prepared by the Emu Bay Lavender Farm. www.emubaylavenderfarm.com.au

The 12^th Birthday celebrations since expanding the project to Victor Harbor could have been a disappointing affair with the on water Survey 134 cancelled due to rough weather and a big swell, as happened for the 2022 Birthday survey. It was anything but due to the fantastic enthusiasm of the Citizen Science volunteers from around Encounter Bay. They came to celebrate at the wonderful Whalers Inn and enjoy the superb cake prepared by long term volunteer Gloria Jean, one of many she has created over the years. www.whalers.au

Our grateful thanks to all the wonderful Dolphin Watch volunteers of all ages, mentors, sponsors, friends and supporters over the years with particular acknowledgement of our wonderful Ecotourism operators KI Marine Adventures www.kimarineadventures.com.au and The Big Duck Boat Tours www.thebigduck.com.au for their unstinting support and faith in our Citizen Science project since 2005. Magnificent hospitality and workshop venues regularly provided by the Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island www.ozonehotelki.com.au and the Victor Harbor Visitor Centre / SA Whale Centre www.visitvictorharbor.com has been a special treat providing a Dolphin Watch “Home Away from Home!

Looking forward to the rest of an exciting year … and another 18 years working with amazing dear souls on “all things dolphin”!

#love #gratitude #happybirthday #citizenscience #dolphinwatch #volunteers #workshops #sponsors #supporters #conservation

Over a number of workshops in the Victor Harbor Visitors Centre Minke Room in December 2022 and February 2023 we were treated to wonderful hospitality provided by Manager Cathy Riddell, staff and volunteers with numerous Dolphin Watch volunteers and visitors joining us. www.visitvictorharbor.com

In February Eleni Atsikbasis – Mission Blue www.missionblue.org Hope Spot Champion of the Avlaki Gulf Hope Spot in Lesvos, Greece with interested friends, were keen to learn all about our project and Eleni shared wonderful images and information about @healinglesvos www.healinglesvos.org and her inspiring work.

Victor Harbor Council’s Tara Butler popped in and later a visit from Caroline Horn from ABC Adelaide proved very fruitful.

Discussions with Renee Newman and Ali Bloomfield from Fleurieu Marine Education in December and February, offering support and collaborations were very positive. www.fleurieumarineeducation.com.au

Ongoing data editing, collation and analysis from our monthly Citizen Science surveys on the fantastic Big Duck Boat Tours www.thebigduck.com.au plus volunteers generously welcomed to collect data on regular marine tours, was undertaken as a major focus throughout.  

In April 2011 we expanded Dolphin Watch to Victor Harbor working with The Big Duck and right from the very beginning the SA Whale Centre welcomed and supported us and made us feel very much at home with regular workshops, meetings, presentations etc.

Officially opened on December 14^th the new centre is a wonderful space designed to perform its multi-function as a Tourism Office, Interpretive Centre, a hub for locals to access resources and whale sighting information services of the SA Whale Centre.

It was great to be back surrounded by the historic centre, the old Railway Goods Shed and its wonderful community feeling.

Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the Victor Harbor Council and everyone involved in the redevelopment and exciting new directions for this magnificent facility.

Our grateful thanks for the special welcome and delightful hospitality over many days!

We are looking forward to our return……very much!

#THANKYOU #cityofvictorharbor #visitorscentre #sawhalecentre #home #itsgoodtobeback #citizenscience #volunteers #community #visitors #tourism #workshops #collaborations #dolphins #research #dataanalysis #conservation #victorharbor #fleurieupeninsula #love #gratitude

What an absolute delight to go back to Dashwood Bay on Survey 228 on January 9th with wonderful volunteers, old and new……right in the middle of the magnificent Mission Blue www.missionblue.org Kangaroo Island North Coast Hope Spot!

It had been a long break since our previous Dolphin Watch survey on Kangaroo Island due to weather impacts and lengthy delays with KI Marine Adventures’ installation of 2 new jet engines….39 weeks and 2 days! www.kimarineadventures.com.au

A group of between 50 to 60 Bottlenose dolphins with 4 calves, including 2 newly born, was the delightful outcome and to see them so at ease and peacefully resting in this extraordinary critical habitat was heartwarming.

KI Marine Adventures’ newly refurbished boat with 2 fantastic new Audi V8 jet engines performed brilliantly and provided a perfect platform for excellent photographic identification research to be undertaken. Congratulations, very best wishes …and thankyou Skipper Andrew Neighbour!!!

The future for our longitudinal research efforts is bright and makes our efforts to achieve the best possible protection for this incredibly essential habitat even more important for the future of the dolphins and indeed the planet itself.

Welcome refreshments at the KI Brewery www.kibeer.com.au after the survey enabled a happy debriefing and special welcome to the wonderful new volunteers who have come on board and want to help!

A fantastic start to a wonderful New Year!

Our grateful thanks to all our wonderful mentors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who have helped and supported us in any way over the years!!

Cheers and Happy New Year!!

#citizenscience #dolphins #volunteers #mentors #supporters #conservation #protection #missionblue #hopespot #love #gratitude

Somehow we knew the day would be different….                                                                          

All surveys are special.

S122 in December 2012 to Dashwood Bay in the Mission Blue www.missionblue.org North Coast Hope Spot was unique. Every one of the Citizen Science volunteers felt we were privileged to witness the coming together of 2 large groups of Bottlenose dolphins, participating in apparent mourning,  grieving behaviours for one of their own….tiny little Angel, Tiki’s new calf.

We had not confirmed Tiki, with a distinctive dorsal fin, catalogued in 2006 at North Cape as female. What a tragic way to find out. Observing wildlife can be exciting, joyful and uplifting but also provides moments of great poignancy and grief.

Approaching the bay we noticed dolphins acting differently, slowly zigzagging in a tight group in a purposeful manner out to sea. In the front Tiki was carrying something in her mouth, a large fish, small shark, or similar.  On closer inspection via binoculars Skipper Andrew Neighbour realised Tiki was carrying an emaciated body of a young calf. To the distress of all we realised we were observing a “funeral procession” in human terms, with a fellow mammal mother taking her dead child out to sea surrounded by her grieving pod.

The grief was palpable. Years later it is etched in our minds – extraordinary animal connectedness, empathy, and compassion of common sentience. In December 2015 we were delighted to record Tiki with an active new calf at North Cape. We called him/her Gabriel. We often think of Tiki and her calves and wonder how and where they are, and hope they are thriving.

Back on the water on wonderful KI Marine Adventures www.kimarineadventures.com.au next week for S228 – what a special start to the New Year it would be to see Tiki and a healthy calf or juvenile again!

#Tiki #Angel #Gabriel #mourning #grief #loss #dolphins #marinemammals #sentientbeings #citizenscience #volunteers #photgraphicidentification #missionblue #northcoast #kangarooisland #hopespot #hope

A Mission Blue Hope Spot is any special place that is critical to the health of the ocean – Earth’s blue heart. Hope Spots are about recognizing, empowering and supporting individuals and communities around the world in their efforts to protect the ocean.

Mission Blue www.mission-blue.org inspires action to explore and protect the ocean.

The extraordinary and magnificent biodiversity of Kangaroo Island’s surrounding seas and the Great Southern Reef was brought to global attention during the Mission Blue “Hope in Australia” Webinar on September 14^th 2022 featuring the ten Hope Spots around Australia’s coastline.

Stefan Andrews of Ocean Imaging www.theocean.com.au and Tony Bartram of Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch  spoke about the Great Southern Reef and Kangaroo Island’s North Coast respectively, about the challenges they face, conservation wins and how the community at large can assist in preserving these exceptionally diverse and important habitats and the lives that depend on them, including our own.

The challenges offered by a rapidly changing climate, plastic pollution, ill considered developments and the many impacts which flow from landbased human impacts were front and centre in all the Hope Spot presentations but consistent throughout was a sense of hope if the global community draws together and collaborates for the welfare of the oceans and themselves.

The live event recording is linked on Mission Blue’s website under Events.

THANKYOU so much to magnificent Mission Blue and all the Australian Hope Spot Champions for sharing hope in Australia!

Sydney Coast Hope Spot @oceanloversfestival, Gold Coast Bay Hope Spot, Houtman Abrolhos Hope Spot @humpbacks-andhighrises , Great Southern Reef Hope Spot @greatsouthernreef, Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area Hope Spot @oceanwise_au, Salisbury Island Hope Spot @finding_salisbury, Great Barrier Reef Hope Spot @citizensgbr, Fish Rock Hope Spot @shalisesoceansupport and Kangaroo Island North Coast Hope Spot @kivhdolphinwatch.

#HopeinAustralia #MissionBlue #HopeSpots #BlueHope #Australia #webinar #marineconservation #oceanconservation #oceanstories #conservation #citizenscience #blueheart #thinkblue #nobluenogreen #hope #love #gratitude 

Our 12^th National Science Week http://www.scienceweek.net.au event focussed on our core business of longitudinal Citizen Science dolphin research involving community volunteers of all ages, monitoring Common Bottlenose dolphins and Shortbeaked Common dolphins since 2005. We highlighted and celebrated the wonderful volunteer effort and support and contributions of community data input, supplementing boat-based and land-based survey effort over the years in the region. Community volunteers participated in a dolphin monitoring survey and data analysis workshops on Kangaroo Island and in Victor Harbor, South Australia.

Consistent monitoring of a range of sites injects extensive data regarding numbers, behaviours, aggregations etc, informing current data sets and increasing veracity plus knowledge and understandings. Particular focus is on known and new dolphins identified with respect to home range, movement patterns and migratory pathways.

Data collected is used to inform management practices in collaboration with scientific entities and government agencies with an aim to strengthen protection and conservation mechanisms for the dolphins in our regional waters. It is also made available to scientists globally to increase our understandings of these iconic marine mammals.

A small but enthusiastic group of Citizen Scientist volunteers gathered at the monthly data analysis workshop at the Ozone Hotel http://www.ozonehotelki.com.au on August 12^th launching Science Week. Following tradition the workshop featured the Science Week Brain Break Morning Tea and quiz, an enjoyable event overseen once again by volunteer / Quizmaster Extraordinaire Mike Cosgrove.

A series of KI / VH Dolphin Watch workshops held at the Victor Harbor Library and Visitor Information Centre for National Science Week from August 16^th took on an international feel when PhD Candidate Alicia Garcia from Valencia in Spain,  participated in the data analysis and collation being undertaken. Her proposed study dovetails perfectly with Dr Rebecca Souter’s “Investigating Threats to Dolphin Health Project” at Adelaide University which Dolphin Watch is supporting.

A delicious celebratory luncheon at Whalers, following an on water research survey aboard The Big Duck Boat Tours www.thebigduck.com.au gave the Citizen Science volunteers an opportunity to reflect upon the role Science plays in everyday life. In a short address reminiscent of his offering in Dolphin Watch’s acknowledgement at the 2021 SA Science Awards, project Coordinator Tony Bartram acknowledged the outstanding data collection efforts of all the volunteers over the past 11 years in Encounter Bay and 17 years on Kangaroo Island. Special note was made of the superb efforts of Victor Harbor Manager Nedra Haines who has been there since the beginning.

The organisers were delighted to welcome the Fleurieu Sun Newspaper Editor Michael Simmons to the second day of workshops and appreciate his interest and support very much! http://www.fleurieusun.com.au

The wonderful Citizen Science data collection efforts over so many years have been generously supported by many volunteers of all ages, sponsors, and supporters, in particular Sealink KI http://www.sealink.com.au , I-NEX Corporation http://www.i-nex.com.au, KI Shellfish – The Oyster Farm Shop http://wwwoysterfarmshop.com.au and Ecotourism operators KI Marine Adventures http://www.kimarineadventures.com.au and the Big Duck Boat Tours. 

Our grateful thanks to them all!

Roll on National Science Week 2023!!!

#nationalsienceweek  #STEM #natsciwk #scienceweek #science #inspiringSA

#southaustralia #sagreat  #dolphins #citizenscience #conservation

“Bringing a voice to our Oceans and Waters”

It was a pleasure and privilege to be asked to join a wonderful group of ocean advocates and marine conservationists to participate in the World Oceans Day Blue Water Summit http://bluewatersummit.com/ on June 8^th presented by the Blue Water Institute https://www.bluewaterinstitute.org/ in a delightful setting at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron.

Together with all the speakers and panellists we were able focus on the myriad issues facing the marine environment and possible approaches to meeting these challenges.

The globally webcast event, an initiative of William Ehmcke and Greg Reitmann of the Blue Water Institute, will become an annual event following the success of this inaugural magnificent and illuminating 8 hour broadcast of live streaming focussing on the Great Southern Ocean. The scope of the presentations and their far reaching implications and possibilities are obvious through such an amazing programme and inspiring speakers.

Our grateful thanks and hearty congratulations to William Ehmcke and all concerned!

The Islander Newspaper on line story – June 21^st 2022

https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7788336/ki-features-in-blue-water-summit-on-world-oceans-day/

#worldoceansday #bluewatersummit  #bluewaterinstitute #unitednations  #southernocean #greatsouthernreef #THANKYOU

Celebrating 17 years of Citizen Science in our region!

Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch celebrated entering the 17^th year of dolphin research on Kangaroo Island last month, and shortly we celebrate 11 years since we expanded the project to Victor Harbor in 2011, working with the Big Duck Boat Tours http://thebigduck.com.au.

On our KI Birthday survey on Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures http://kimarineaaadventures.com.au the volunteers visited Dashwood Bay in the Mission Blue North Coast Hope Spot http://mission-blue.org to collect vital data around the Bottlenose dolphins and the habitat which is so critical to their wellbeing.

The dolphins appeared in numbers as if to celebrate as well, with lots of frisky “party” behaviour displayed by the juveniles and newborn calves.

Perhaps Dolphin Watch mentor Dr Mike Bossley AM, one of the progenitors of the project says it best in his brilliant, recently published book “Whales, Dolphins and Me” – Moonglow Publishing. http://moonglowpublishing.com.au

“Undertaking long term studies increases immeasurably the enjoyment to be gained by watching animals in the wild because it allows a much deeper appreciation of what is happening. The biologist, be they professional or amateur, certainly gains enormous satisfaction if they have studied their species / environment over an extended period.”

With a dearth of knowledge about dolphins as characterised by their data deficient status with the IUCN, such longitudinal studies are vital.

Volunteers Sharon and Keith Sharp from the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary / Whale and Dolphin Conservation joined the crew which included long serving, dedicated volunteers who have spent many hours over the years supporting the research effort.

At the celebration lunch at the Emu Bay Lavender Farm http://emubaylavenderfarm.com there was an opportunity for Coordinator Tony Bartram to thank the volunteers of all ages, sponsors and supporters over the years for their outstanding contributions.

Particular note was made of Dolphin Watch operational partner Andrew Neighbour of KI Marine Adventures who has provided outstanding levels of subsidy and support from the beginning.

A perfect example of Ecotourism and Citizen Science joining forces to effect high level conservation outcomes.

To our wonderful Ecotourism partners, sponsors, supporters and volunteers of all ages over all these years…we thank you!!!

Here’s to the next 17 years and beyond.

#citizenscience #dolphins #celebration #kangarooisland #victorharbor #sponsors #supporters #volunteers

#THANKYOU

A wonderful case of survival …..

First observed on a marine tour on KI Marine Adventures www.kimarineadventures.com.au in February 2018 on the pristine North Coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia in the North Coast Mission Blue Hope Spot www.mission-blue.org ,   Bottlenose dolphin Mandela has survived what appears to be appalling predation, presumably a shark attack.

Often observed on surveys since that first sighting, with other “regular” dolphins, and in the close company of a juvenile (Mr Wishing) she appears to be doing as well as possible and taking full advantage of these shallow, protected waters  – critical habitat for a large number of dolphins and a range of other species.

Easily recognised by all Citizen Scientists on board regular surveys, it is always a joy to see her, over the years.

To our great delight Mrs Mandela was observed at Dashwood Bay with a brand new calf in January 2021 which we called Scooter, due to the high level of activity! Fortunately female and calf are both still doing well and observed regularly on surveys and marine tours.  

The challenging mystery remains, unsolved to date despite our best efforts……what actually happened and what was her identity before the attack ?

Is she a known female in our region over all these years or did she more recently choose these protected waters for sanctuary?

We may never know….

Long may Mrs Mandela and her progeny remain safe, survive and thrive.  

#bottlenosedolphins #citizenscience #conservation #protection #missionblue #northcoast #hopespot

A wonderful story of survival – a remarkably resilient sentient being, non human person

As far back as 1998 surfers at Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island were telling stories of a remarkable looking dolphin with virtually no dorsal fin. At the time it was supported by two other dolphins from its pod, an outstanding example of the care and kinship within these groups for which they are renowned.

Observations over the years have seen Chompy living life fully without the use of the dorsal fin, part of the balancing system used by dolphins to guide them so effortlessly through the fluid environment. 

Analysis of our land based monitoring images and vital community data generously provided by wonderful tour guide / photographer Nikki Redman and photographers and tour guides over the years, lead to the conclusion that Chompy was a possible shark attack survivor and indeed lucky to have survived that encounter.

We asked Nikki to name him / her…..Chompy it is and we added The Champion!

No doubt about it!

To watch Chompy thriving over all these years, and surfing etc as effortlessly as his peers is an incredibly moving experience.

In a fascinating development we believe Chompy is associating with several other dolphins with badly damaged dorsal fins, travelling very large distances along the rugged South Coast, including Nikki’s recent observations this month at Cape De Couedic, Flinders Chase!

 It seems these intrepid survivors stick together!

One can only observe with wonder and ponder the incredible will to live and desire to heal which characterises this remarkable example of overcoming a potentially disastrous injury and the resulting disability. Truly a perfect time to provide the ultimate accolade of champion to a remarkably resilient non human person – the dolphin simply known as “Chompy the Champion”.

Nikki Redman’s story

Kangaroo Island Odyssey  Naturalist Tour guide

June 12^th 2014

“My colleague Terry Pearce recently showed me a picture of a dolphin he photographed at Pennington Bay 3 years ago with no dorsal fin which was being supported by 2 other dolphins in the pod.  Crazy enough the following day I was at Pennington Bay on tour and I saw a dolphin with no dorsal fin and managed to photograph it –  it was swimming freely in the pod, not being supported. I was amazed to find out after sending the picture to Tony and Phyll, that it was the same dolphin and what was even more wonderful, they let me name it. I called it “Chompy” as it looked like its dorsal had been chomped off by a shark.

On the 8th of June I was at Pennington Bay again and saw Chompy and friends. I didn’t manage to photograph it this time but definitely saw it!  2 days later on the 10th of June I was at Seal Bay half way along the KI coast and saw a huge pod of dolphins chasing fish. I believe they were launching out of the water and it was amazing. I then noticed a dolphin with no dorsal – I’m not 100% sure but I think it was Chompy.  If it was I think it’s amazing as it certainly is having no trouble keeping up with the pod. What an amazing survivor!”

Thankyou so much dear Nikki for your amazing, invaluable contribution over the years!

Our grateful thanks to all who contribute wonderful community data and images, helping us to learn more about these remarkable non human person, sentient beings!!

#weekendinspiration #chompy #dolphin #survivor #surfer #sharkattack #resilience #penningtonbay #southcoast #missionblue #hopespots #nobluenogreen #southernocean #greatsouthernreef #traveller #thinkblue #conservation