Namibian Dolphin Project InternWalvis Bay, Namibia July & August 2012

Julie Coffey

About the projecthttp://namibiandolphinproject.com

Dr. Simon ElwenResearch fellow, University of Pretoria

Dr. Tess GridleyPrincipal investigator for

acoustics

Nanuuq: 6m trusty research vessel

Benguela ecosystem

● Upwelling of nutrient-rich Antarctic waters

● One of the most productive marine environments in the world

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Species

Heaviside’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii)

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Acoustics● Study species:

Bottlenose dolphins● Searching for signature

whistles● Cross-referencing with

field behavioral observations

Photo-ID

● For Heaviside’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and any whales

● Use dorsal fins (both sides) for individual identification

● Body scarring● Flukes for whales, paired

with dorsal fin photos

Biopsies

● Crossbow for whales, javelin for dolphins

● Tested fats for heavy metals, sampled DNA to identify the individual and determine the sex

Tourism Impacts•Feeding wildlife (seals, pelicans)•Boat proximity and duration with cetaceans•Boat hits

GPS tracking

Conservation Threats● Oil prospecting● Shipping and Industry● Harbor pollution● Fishery reduction

Birds and RAMSAR

● RAMSAR protected wetland

● Salt flats created for mining purposes

● Many birds migrate down from the Etosha pan

Credits

● Benguela current image: http://www.i-cool.org/?p=4873

● RAMSAR image: http://www.nnf.org.na/CETN/ramsar.htm

● Whistle image:● http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?

pid=S0001-37652004000200030&script=sci_arttext