Snubfin dolphins spit water and it’s thought the unique behaviour may be linked to hunting, however, researchers are still largely in the dark. Photos: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Surveys have found that Princess Charlotte Bay on Cape York Peninsula is a potential hotspot for one of Australia’s rarest dolphins, sparking further research into the fascinating marine mammals.
The three-year Great Barrier Reef Inshore Dolphin Project is studying Australian snubfin and humpback dolphin populations and behaviour at Princess Charlotte Bay, as well as Repulse Bay in the Whitsundays and Keppel Bay near Rockhampton in Queensland.
Scientists will collect baseline data on how many dolphins are in the area and trends to support conservation assessments and management of the threatened species.
Princess Charlotte Bay has been highlighted as a potential snubfin dolphin “stronghold”, though the dolphins do not appear widespread across the Cape’s coastline, according to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
A snubfin dolphin mother and calf.
Not much is known about the dolphins, but scientists are keen to find out more. The snubfin spits water in a unique display which may be linked to hunting.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service senior conservation officer Daniele Cagnazzi said preliminary estimates showed the bay could support about 300 snubfins.
“Preliminary estimates suggest Princess Charlotte Bay may support one of the largest documented snubfin dolphin populations on Australia’s east coast,” he said.
“That’s a very large population for snubfin dolphins. As far as we know, there is no comparable population in Australia among those that have been studied.”
There’s thought to be less than 10,000 each of the snubfin and humpback dolphins left in the wild. They often gather in groups of about 100.
The authority states that low reproduction rates, limited genetic diversity and reliance on inshore habitats makes the species vulnerable to coastal development, declining water quality and being accidentally snagged in fishing nets.
But the reef did ultimately dodge the classification, much to the relief of the Federal and State governments, which applauded the far-reaching decision and committed to improving water quality.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority project manager Sarah Salmon said studying potential dolphin hotspots across the Marine Park would help track changes in the dolphins and their populations.
“Understanding the current status and health of these populations is essential as it establishes a baseline for tracking changes over time,” she said.
Researchers are examining potential snubfin and humpback dolphin hotspots.
“Future monitoring will show us whether these species have declined or whether any conservation actions we have put in place have helped them to stabilise or increase.”
First Nations locals have helped identify survey areas, and Lama Lama traditional owners, the Gia and Ngaro peoples and Darumbal traditional owners have supported data collection from vessels.
With rare dolphins like the snubfin hanging off the coast, it’s no wonder much-loved environmental documentary stalwart Sir David Attenborough previously declared Far North Queensland his favourite place on Earth to visit and said “it has, for a naturalist, everything”.
The authority and Parks and Wildlife Service project is delivered through the Reef Joint Field Management Program with Queensland’s Threatened Species Operations Team, James Cook University PhD candidate Chloe Edwards, and Indigenous communities.
A rare snubfin dolphin splashing about.
