Blustery conditions and poor visibility did little to dampen the spirits of the Kangaroo Island artists who put to sea on a special field survey to celebrate KI Dolphin Watch’s 6th birthday on March 8th 2012. The trip organised by volunteer Sandy Carey, was a long overdue thankyou for the artists who generously supported fund raising efforts through the “Shared Realm” Dolphin Watch Exhibition. Sandy was the prime mover in making this wonderful example of community support come to pass and it was fitting that Fleur Peters of Fine Art KI, who collaborated with Sandy on the successful exhibition was one of the crew. Fleur and Fred Peters very kindly continue to support KI Dolphin Watch and promote the project and its core business. All on board were delighted by a series of sightings, culminating in a very close up and personal encounter with eleven very curious dolphins. A wonderful way to say thankyou and celebrate an auspicious birthday.

In the near future Kangaroo Island Community Education students and volunteers will also have the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone, and sincere thanks to everyone involved in the project.

40 plus dolphins were observed in very windy conditions on the field survey at Dashwood Bay on January 25th - the 3rd survey for the year, kicking off the new year’s research in fine style. 4 new calves delighted observers with their antics. Special crew members Amalia Cudrat; an Environmental Education Facilitator from France and Catherine Weber from Switzerland, added an international flavour to proceedings. Amalia took some excellent video clips and has kindly made them available to us. The best of these is available for viewing on the Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kangaroo-Island-Dolphin-Watch/177821708954324

Thankyou Amalia!!

“Well, of course, I love all the magazine stories and connections but your Dolphin Watch story is one of the most exhilarating and inspiring articles we’ve had. AND it happened just as we were expanding into Facebook AND you got that wonderful coverage in the Islander. I feel as though I’ve been on the BEST adventure with you, with so many good outcomes. First hand experience of KI and the dolphins would be a terrific bonus. Someday. Meanwhile, keep inspiring more generations of marine greenies – and building up skills and communications. You are both / all FANTASTIC!”

Saren Starbridge     Wildlife Australia  December 2011

A special field survey on January 19th saw young Dolphin Watch supporters Jessica and Kimberley and their Mum Amanda come onboard as a thankyou for their fantastic efforts. Jess together with her friend Jacinta, who was unfortunately away in Adelaide at the time, are the driving force behind the Dolphin Watch fund raising and tourist education initiatives at “The Oyster Shop” in American River, part of KI Shellfish owned and managed by Amanda and her husband Ken, featured in the post  “Outstanding Local Support From Jessica, Jacinta and Kangaroo Island Shellfish” March 26th 2011. Joining them were Nina and her Mum Cathie, who through her role in Regional Development Australia, was the dynamic instigator of the successful Adult Community Education Dolphin Watch Programme in 2011, and one of the “stars” of that course Enya. Enya continues to volunteer her efforts in outstanding data analysis and cataloguing.

Rumer, another of the young supporters who has been feeding in excellent sighting and identification information regarding the American River pod, was pleased to see the 25 dolphins which appeared at Dashwood Bay and like everyone aboard, was particularly excited with observations of 4 new calves. In an interesting twist Colleen, who has previously worked in the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury, was able to compare her experiences with Bunbury and Monkey Mia in WA. The large number of dolphins amazed her as did the overall experience, particularly with respect to natural unaffected behaviours displayed by the dolphins. A beautiful “debrief” lunch session at project sponsors The Aurora Ozone Hotel, rounded out a perfect data collection research effort and a great opportunity to thank some of our youngest and most enthusiastic supporters. A Junior Dolphin Watch team will  commence in 2012 driven by the passion and commitment of these amazing young people.

Just with a simple mobile phone camera Luke O’Brien of American River captured some stunning images of the local dolphins while fishing off Point Morrison on Kangaroo Island. He was able to video the dolphins bowriding and has provided such quality images that identification of some of the catalogued animals was possible. A brilliant example of what can be achieved due to the technologies available to us, and the fantastic contribution the local community make to the core business of KI Dolphin Watch. Thanks so much Luke!!

033F Elva & Juvenile 026 Lisa Marie January 9th 2012

KI Dolphin Watch were delighted to host Richard Wylie and his wife Deb on a recent field survey during their Kangaroo Island visit. Richard, an eminent Marine Biologist, teacher and accomplished, award winning photographer, was able to provide many superb underwater images which are helping considerably to establish individual identities plus pairings and groupings within the North Cape pod. Richard is a member of the IUCN Education Committee and the IUCN Commission on Protected Areas. Deb and Richard are in the process of establishing a Science Research Centre on Eukafa Island in Tonga and are exploring the Dolphin Watch project as a means of addressing some of the issues related to Whale Watching in Tonga – an area of considerable concern. A most beneficial long term collaboration for protection of Cetaceans is emerging. It was an immense pleasure to work with such enthusiastic committed people who are passionate advocates for the protection of the marine environment and ocean literacy, and are providing invaluable help, support, energy and inspiration to our project. Thankyou Rich and Deb!!!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kangaroo-Island-Dolphin-Watch/177821708954324

Plan Big

http://www.planbig.com.au/tail-slapping-global-action-kangaroo-island-dolphin-watch

Twitter

http://twitter.com/#!/KIDolphinWatch

The last field surveys at Victor Harbor for 2011 varied considerably in terms of successful sightings. On Wednesday 7^th December the SA Whale Centre volunteers were able to closely observe 11 Bottlenose dolphins including 2 juveniles in the area from Shark Alley near Wright Island through to Granite Island. Again having PhD Candidate Nardi Cribb on board provided an extra resource in terms of being aware of latest research findings and how they apply to the Victor Harbor situation. Of special note was the extreme interest the animals showed towards a sail training craft plied by students from the Aquatic Centre. Their obvious delight in frolicking around without the possibilities of propeller strike was wonderful to behold and their fascination was matched by those on board the yacht. A lack of observations of any form blighted the survey on the following day, conducted by students and staff from Investigator College. Their enthusiasm however was fantastic and the area from King’s Beach to Oliver’s Reef was carefully traversed without success.The students worked tirelessly in the afternoon at the SA Whale Centre analysing data collected the day before and on previous surveys, with another 6 animals added to the ever growing catalogue. Their laudable efforts, together with those of Whale Centre volunteers are being highly successful in raising awareness regarding the protection of the dolphins and their habitat in Encounter Bay and along the South Coast. Research effort will continue in 2012 thanks to Natural Resource Management Board funding and support from The Big Duck Boat Tours and Kangaroo Island Sealink. Hearty congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone involved in establishing the highly successful and sustainable Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch in 2011.

A very late in the season sighting of a Humpback Whale was the highlight of the latest, the 102nd field survey on November 24th. Humpback sightings have been rare on Kangaroo Island in previous years but regular sightings of groups off Stokes Bay and Weirs Cove earlier in the year gave no indication that the animals would still be in the vicinity so long after they are expected to be journeying back to Antarctic waters. The whale was sighted at the back of Beatrice Islet in Shoal Bay, some 2 kilometres offshore from Kingscote. There were reports of it having been sighted close to shore in Nepean Bay the day before. Details and images regarding this unusual sighting will be forwarded to the SA Whale Centre at Victor Harbor and the SA Museum in Adelaide.

University students from across Indonesia on Kangaroo Island as part of an Australian-Indonesian Youth Exchange Programme, coordinated by Kangaroo Island Community Education and supported by Regional Development Australia and the Kangaroo Island Council, enjoyed participating in field surveys to North Cape onThursday 24^th November.

The first group handled the trying conditions with considerable aplomb and kept up consistently high quality research effort, in spite of blustery conditions and sea sickness. 8 dolphins rewarded their persistence with a series of close encounters initiated by the curious dolphins. The second group experienced even more luck with over 20 dolphins putting on a high speed fishing display by the South Beacon. The trip home yielded even greater reward when a 15 metre Humpback Whale frolicked in the channel in close proximity to “Island Explorer” for 20 minutes, before heading out to sea. A rare but incredibly awe inspiring and uplifting experience for all onboard and due compensation for the challenging weather conditions which prevailed.

Sincere thanks to the Indonesian students and coordinator Kris Hondow for their brilliant help and support.

“Doing Dolphin Watch was lovely and best experience in my life. Can’t wait for other chance! Thankyou.”  Mahmud

“Thankyou very much for WDCS that arranged our group and gave us a chance to watch dolphins, seal and also whale. It was wonderful journey. I got a lot of experience and absolutely insight about wild dolphins, their habits and habitat.”     Ni Made Dian