Training Sealink staff onboard the Spirit of Kangaroo Island October 10th 2012

On Wednesday 10th October Tony Bartram trained Sealink Ferries staff in dolphin monitoring and data collection techniques at their offices in Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island and Cape Jervis on the mainland, and crews on board the Spirit of Kangaroo Island and the Sealion. The staff, particularly those on board, together with Sealink passengers, will be assisting in gathering data regarding the dolphins which are frequently sighted on voyages across Backstairs Passage, and their habitat. Rudimentary information regarding whale identification was also provided to enable the crews to provide information regarding sightings to the SA Whale Centre and the SA Museum.
Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch are extremely grateful to Sealink for ongoing sponsorship through funding and travel, providing significant support for the development and sustainability of the project and its expansion to Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch, which has been in operation for 18 months. The community education and awareness raising resulting from Sealink support is significant and highly valued.

Data analysis at the Youth Connect Workshop September 3rd 2012

The Youth Connect SA Works Dolphin Watch project which commenced on July 23rd, continues to go from strength to strength, with alternating weekly field surveys and workshops. The project managed by Regional Development Australia is funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments, linking young people with older community volunteers.
A fascinating workshop with Gary Bell of KI Digicam has resulted in a greater understanding of how to obtain quality video footage and editing to best effect with products improving in quality and impact accordingly. Migratory Wildlife Networks Geoff Prideaux’s workshop on data entry on the website www.kangarooislanddolphinwatch.com.au created great excitement when he demonstrated the API mapping tools he has created. A world first application with considerable wow factor and readily adopted as a project by Nina and Sharon in particular. An absolutely stunning result.
The introduction of three new enthusiastic students recently, Jayden, Thomas and James, has boosted research activity and analysis, movie editing etc. Skipper Andrew’s work with the new students and Ellis is outstanding, equipping them with a broad range of skills and experiences in employability in boating and marine services.
A wonderful community Citizen Science project highly valued and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

58th Australian Mammal Conference KI Dolphin Watch Poster Presentation Sep 25th 2012

The Dolphin Watch Poster Presentation at the 58th Australian Mammal Conference in Port Augusta on September 25th created considerable interest among those present. Taxonomists were particularly interested in the similarities displayed in the photographic images to the recently discovered species: the Burrunan Dolphin – Tursiops australis.
The potential for follow up research effort is considerable. The Marine Mammal Symposium on the first day of the conference proved fascinating and enlightening. Special thanks to the organising committee and everyone involved in this wonderful event.

Sacred Heart University Students on the Island Explorer August 21st 2012

Professor Yoshi Nagata, staff and students from Sacred Heart University participated in dolphin monitoring survey 114 off North Cape on 21st August, as a component of a very successful KI Sustainability Tour organised by Jennie and Bob Teasdale of People Perspectives. The high quality data collected enabled identification of a number of known and new dolphins, and the groups interest, support, enthusiasm and excellent company was a delight. This was the third group of wonderful Japanese students and teachers to participate in Dolphin Watch on Kangaroo Island thanks to Yoshi and People Perspectives.
Grateful thanks to everyone involved!

St Peters College students and staff brave the elements on “The Big Duck”

The St Peter’s College Dolphin Watch programme was completed on Friday 16th August and over the period of activity, some outstanding data collection was achieved. Even in inclement weather conditions the students performed brilliantly and their efforts resulted in a number of new animals being added to the catalogue and some interesting data regarding movements of known animals being recorded. Special thanks to head of Outdoor Education Curtis Eyles and staff Daniel and Gareth and the students for their fantastic work.

Harley and assistant Charlie on Youth Connect Dolphin Watch July 23rd 2012

Congratulations to Harley Dunstan, a long term Dolphin Watch volunteer, on receiving the Kangaroo Island Young Achiever of the Year Award for 2012. His fantastic efforts on behalf of Kangaroo Island Youth over many years has been duly acknowledged by this accolade which is so well deserved. Beginning as an active and enthusiastic student participant in Dolphin Watch, Harley has become a much valued community volunteer and mentor since completing Year 12 in 2011. Thank you and well done Harley!!

Teacher Jarrad Anderson and students Hayden and Brock on Dolphin Watch May 17th 2012

The following report from Mike Foster at Pimlico State High School in Townsville makes for very interesting reading! The enriched scientific oversight which Lars Bejder brings is fantastic. The Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphins, like the Australian Snubfins are endangered and the students research work is extremely beneficial contributing to their conservation an alerting the community to the threats posed by human activity. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved in this exciting project!

MARINE STUDENTS DOLPHIN SPOTTING
Boating training took on an added importance this year for Marine Practices Students. With the help of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society through Ian Potter Foundation funding and Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch, students have commenced collecting data of dolphin sightings while boating. The Ian Potter Foundation generously provided funding for the purchase of equipment including cameras and hydrophones. Tony and Phyll Bartram from Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch also presented their expertise and enthusiasm for the project. This will be an ongoing part of the Marine Practices course. Sightings will be recorded and collated as part of an investigation into where and when dolphins use Cleveland Bay. Students will then present their findings in their reports for assessment. Each year’s results will be aggregated to build a data base of local dolphin populations. A pod of three dolphins, two adults and one juvenile, were spotted on the first day and two on the second. All were humpback dolphins – a species that favours waters close to sea grass beds and waters around 4 – 5m deep. Photographic evidence collected on the day has been verified by Dr Lars Bejder at the Cetacean Research Unit, Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Research at Murdoch University in WA.

A very special Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch volunteer after her first magical experience on a recent dolphin monitoring survey, created this amazing and powerful global message.

Please help by sharing far and wide! Our love and gratitude to dear Sharon Zealand and heartfelt thanks to John Farnham for being OUR VOICE. XOX

“Share if you love dolphins”
you are the voice
www.youtube.com
a small group of dedicated citizens can make a world of difference.

Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch commenced Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch in April 2011 with SA Whale Centre volunteers and Investigator College staff and students. Operating collaboratively with Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch with NRM Community Grant funding, it has achieved extraordinary outcomes through successful regional cooperation. Through involvement and support of “Friends of the SA Whale Centre”, a site-based network undertaking regular observations, underpinning boat-based field surveys has been established. It will yield much needed data regarding frequency and range of movements and connectivity. As dolphins in the region are at risk due to human impact and intensive boating activity, development of public awareness and community education is an imperative.

The Friends of the South Australian Whale Centre is a hard working enthiastic Community group dedicated to supporting marine and Cetacean conservation in South Australia. The group engages in a range of social and fundraising activities, and raises awareness of current research and conservation efforts. To support the Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch project the Friends of the SA Whale Centre launched an exciting local Adopt a Dolphin Programme in June 2012, which is going from strength to strength.

Cost of the adoption is $20 per annum, for which participants receive an adoption certificate and a photo of the dolphin selected via electronic transfer, with emailed updates throughout the year on the dolphin’s activities. Hard copies of photos and certificates are available for an extra $10 to cover printing, postage and handling.

Dolphins up for adoption from the Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch catalogue are 001 Flap, 007 Scapa, 008 Sushi, 009M Bob, 011 Tango, 024M Neptune, 026 Katie Marie and 070 Pip.

For further information and an Adopt a Dolphin form please visit www.friends.sawhalecentre.com, email friends@sawhalecentre.com vhdolphins@bigpond.com or phone 0400724762.

Congratulations, well done and thankyou Nedra Haines and the Friends of the SA Whale Centre!!

Thankyou volunteers!! Image: KICE student Kallen Bell 2008

June 11th was Volunteers Day and on behalf of Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch, we would like to thank all of the students, teachers, volunteers and community members for their fantastic efforts towards Cetacean conservation and protection in all of the Dolphin Watch sites; Victor Harbor, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Townsville Queensland and Kangaroo Island. Outstanding effort by so many, volunteering on or off the water in any way, is fantastic and highly valued, with wonderful outcomes! A special thankyou to the boat providers and skippers Andrew Neighbour / “Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures”, Dan Irvine / “The Big Duck”, Trevor Thomas, Kevin Pallant, Steve Storic and Mike Foster – the backbone around which our efforts are made possible.