Ruqayyah Snyder
Bottlenose dolphins are found in various locations in Australia, including the coastal regions of South Australia, the coastal and shelf waters off the western Eyre Peninsula, Cape Jervis, and the waters of the wider Coorong region. They are also found in the northern and coastal waters of Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent, and Adelaide's coastal waters. In addition, they can be found in the Byron Bay area, where they have been observed feeding with common dolphins. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is a coastal species that inhabits the coastal areas, estuaries, and bays through the temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Australia and the greater Indo-Pacific region. The Burrunan dolphin is another species found in the Port Phillip and Gippsland Lakes areas of Victoria, Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), Burrunan dolphin (T. (aduncus) australis) |
| Location | Coastal and oceanic habitats of tropical to temperate oceans, northern Australia, South Australia, Port Phillip, Gippsland Lakes in Victoria, Adelaide, Cape Jervis, Victor Harbor, Coorong region, Byron Bay |
| Population | 95-239 in Adelaide's coastal waters; 190 in the Moray Firth, Scotland |
| Threats | Chemicals, plastic waste, bacterial pollution, sewage waste, shark nets, commercial fishing, shark control programs, industrial coastal development, climate change, habitat destruction, water pollution, reduction in food |
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What You'll Learn
Common bottlenose dolphins in South Australia
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the most common species of dolphin found in Australia. They are found in coastal and oceanic habitats of most tropical to temperate oceans worldwide, except for the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions. In South Australia, the common bottlenose dolphin is found in deeper shelf and offshore environments, as well as in some areas close to the coast.
Bottlenose dolphins are protected in Australian waters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and by legislation pertaining to waters under the jurisdiction of each state, up to 3 nautical miles from the shore. However, there is a lack of density and abundance data for dolphins over large geographical scales, which has made it difficult to assess the level of threats that dolphin populations may be exposed to and to make informed decisions about environmental impact assessments and marine parks planning.
In South Australia, two putative bottlenose dolphin species occur. Predictive distribution maps derived from habitat modelling show a high density of dolphins in the coastal regions of both South Australian gulfs year-round. Gulf St Vincent had the highest estimated densities, suggesting that the gulf has large areas of suitable habitat for this species, including metropolitan waters off Adelaide. Along Adelaide's coastal waters, bottlenose dolphins show a high level of site fidelity. A vessel-based photo-identification mark-recapture study conducted in Adelaide's coastal waters over a three-year period, in an area of 195 km2 and up to 7 km from the shore, estimated a total of 95–239 bottlenose dolphins that utilized this area. Some of the dolphins were identified as year-round residents to Adelaide's coastal waters, while others were considered seasonal residents and occasional visitors, likely using the wider region of Gulf St Vincent.
High densities of bottlenose dolphins were also found in the northern and coastal waters of Spencer Gulf, in the waters off the western Eyre Peninsula, and in the waters of the wider Coorong region, around Cape Jervis, and off Victor Harbor. The distribution of bottlenose dolphins along the southern Australian coast is non-homogenous and disjunct, which may be due to the complex and unique oceanography of the waters off this coast. The two large South Australian gulfs are inverse estuaries with limited water circulation and a lack of freshwater inflow, making them particularly susceptible to human-induced impacts such as climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution. While high densities of dolphins are found in these waters, little or no protection is given to bottlenose dolphins in most of these areas. Climate change was rated as one of the highest threats to dolphins in the area.
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Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in northern Australia
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is a species of bottlenose dolphin found in the coastal waters of northern Australia, India, South China, the Red Sea, and the eastern coast of Africa. They are graceful, dynamic, and highly intelligent, with a sleek frame that glistens with iridescent blues and greys. They are smaller than the common bottlenose dolphin, with a longer rostrum, a more distinctive dorsal fin, and spots on their bellies and lower sides.
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are highly social creatures, with females forming large networks of friends and males forming strong, lifelong bonds with one another. Groups typically consist of 5-15 individuals, and juveniles remain with their families for several years to learn social etiquette and vital hunting skills. These dolphins are known for their love of octopus and squid, and they are skilled at using tools to catch their prey. In fact, they are the only cetaceans known to use tools, breaking off marine sponges to wear over their rostrums to protect them from the coarse seafloor and to probe for fish.
In Australia, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins can be found in the Port River in Adelaide, where they have adapted to living in a heavily urbanized environment. To protect these dolphins, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary was established in 2005 in the Australian state of South Australia, located on the east coast of Gulf St Vincent. This sanctuary is home to a resident pod of around 30 dolphins, with another 300 regular visitors, and it provides a safe habitat for these social creatures.
While the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is not considered endangered, its near-shore distribution makes it vulnerable to environmental degradation, direct exploitation, and other problems. Human activities such as boat traffic and pollution pose significant threats to these dolphins, and large-mesh nets set up to protect bathers from sharks have also resulted in dolphin deaths. Conservation efforts, such as the establishment of marine protected areas, are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this species in northern Australia and beyond.
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Burrunan dolphins in Victoria, Australia
The Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) is a species of bottlenose dolphin found in parts of Victoria, Australia. It was first described in 2011 by Dr. Kate Charlton-Robb and her team, who conducted genetic research revealing significant differences between the Burrunan dolphins and other dolphin species. Burrunan dolphins are limited to the coastal and estuarine waters along the southeastern coast of Australia and are not found in any other parts of the world. Their range extends from Port Phillip Bay in Victoria to the Gippsland Lakes region, including bays, inlets, and estuaries. They are commonly found in shallow coastal waters and areas where there is a mix of freshwater and saltwater, such as river mouths and the lower reaches of rivers.
Burrunan dolphins are social animals and are most commonly seen in pods of 2-10 animals, although larger groups of up to 30 individuals have been observed on occasion. They are relatively small compared to other dolphin species, with an average length of 1.8 to 2.7 meters and a weight of around 80 to 130 kilograms. The species is characterised by a distinct tri-colouration pattern, with a dark grey upper body, a paler grey midline, and a cream underside. They have broad tail flukes, a prominent rounded head, a falcate (curved) dorsal fin, and a short, stubby rostrum (nose).
The conservation status of Burrunan dolphins is currently considered "Critically Endangered/Threatened" under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. This status reflects the species' vulnerability to various threats, including habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and disturbance from vessels. They are also affected by environmental changes, such as increased sedimentation, dramatic salinity declines, algal blooms, temperature changes, and anoxic conditions in their habitats.
Efforts to protect and conserve the Burrunan dolphin population in Victoria are ongoing. The Victorian Government's Biodiversity On-Ground Action Icon Species Grants program has provided a grant of $49,940 to fund targeted actions designed to protect and conserve this threatened species. Additionally, there is a focus on collecting valuable baseline information to understand the possible causes of mortality events, such as the Gippsland Lakes Burrunan dolphin mortality event, and to implement measures to mitigate further impacts.
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Bottlenose dolphins in Adelaide's coastal waters
Bottlenose dolphins are found in coastal waters and oceans worldwide, except for the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions. They are common in the coastal waters of Adelaide, South Australia, where they show a high level of site fidelity.
A vessel-based photo-identification mark-recapture study conducted in Adelaide's coastal waters over three years, in an area of 195 km2 and up to 7 km from the shore, estimated a total of 95-239 bottlenose dolphins. Some of these dolphins were identified as year-round residents, while others were seasonal or occasional visitors. Adelaide's metropolitan coastal waters are known for their frequent boat traffic and ongoing coastal development, which poses a threat to the dolphins.
The common bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) is the species mainly found in Adelaide's coastal waters. They are known to feed on octopus, cuttlefish, squid, crustaceans, and various fish species. This species is found in both offshore and coastal waters worldwide, including harbors, bays, gulfs, and estuaries of temperate and tropical waters. They are highly intelligent and use sound for communication and hunting.
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Bottlenose dolphins in Byron Bay
Bottlenose dolphins are found in coastal and oceanic habitats across most tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, including the coastal waters of northern Australia. In Byron Bay, they are a common sight, with a residential pod of around 100 dolphins estimated to live in the region. The Byron Bay-Ballina area is used by over 1,000 bottlenose dolphins, with an estimated 30% being resident dolphins, consisting primarily of females and calves. The dolphins in Byron Bay display a variety of behaviours, including leaping, surfing, bow riding, and tail-slapping.
The coastal area around Cape Byron is a crucial habitat for these dolphins, where they feed, reproduce, and care for their young. The dolphins are a dark grey colour on their upper dorsal side and light grey to white on their underbelly, with yellowish colouring extending from their eye down to their dorsal fin. They can grow up to 2.5 to 2.7 metres in length and weigh between 150 to 250 kilograms.
In Byron Bay, the best places to spot dolphins are on the bay at sunrise and sunset, which coincides with their feeding time. The Cape Byron Marine Park, covering approximately 22,000 hectares and extending 37 kilometres along the coastline, is an excellent location to view bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. The park offers ocean adventure cruises that depart from Ballina's Richmond River and enter the pristine waters of the marine park, providing visitors with the opportunity to observe the dolphins up close.
Bottlenose dolphins are known for their social nature and often exhibit a dominance hierarchy that can be sexually segregated. Females tend to live in large groups and maintain extensive social networks, while mature males form strong alliances with other males. These dolphins are not considered endangered, as their abundance and adaptability contribute to a stable future. However, specific populations are threatened by environmental changes, including water pollution and climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Bottlenose dolphins can be found in various coastal areas of Australia, including the coastal waters of Adelaide, Byron Bay, the western Eyre Peninsula, Cape Jervis, and the Gippsland Lakes area of Victoria. They are also present in the two large South Australian gulfs, particularly Gulf St. Vincent, and the wider region of the Coorong.
Bottlenose dolphins in Australia face several threats, including pollution from marine debris, plastic waste, sewage waste, and industrial development. Climate change, habitat destruction, and overfishing also pose significant risks to their survival. Additionally, entanglement in fishing nets and shark control programs have resulted in dolphin deaths.
Yes, all dolphins, including bottlenose dolphins, are protected in Australian waters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This legislation prohibits killing, capturing, injuring, or interfering with dolphins, and any incidental captures of live dolphins during fishing activities must be immediately released and documented.
