August 18, 1999

OBJECTIVES

1.  To train students in the processes of field research, literature review, scientific writing, and analytical thinking;

2.  To understand the population dynamics and ecology of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) community found in Boca Ciega Bay and surrounding waters; and

3.  To use science and scientific data to help conserve Tursiops truncatus.

TEAM

    The ECDP team is composed of 5-6 current Eckerd College students who are employed for the summer months. The student effort is coordinated by a full time research assistant, who is an Eckerd College graduate, and is overseen by an Eckerd College faculty member in the marine science department, who also is Chairman of the United States Marine Mammal Commission.

    Population surveys of Boca Ciega Bay and surrounding waters are conducted on a regular basis.  The research is formally authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Typically, observations are made from a 19' boat, and pictures of the dorsal fin of each dolphin present in a group are taken and later used for photo-identification purposes. Optimally 3-4 members of the ECDP are present on the boat to conduct a survey, each fulfilling a different duty, such as driver, photographer, and data collector. During ad libitum surveys only a limited amount of time is spent with each dolphin group, with the emphasis on obtaining the necessary photographs and collecting environmental and behavioral data.  This type of survey provides valuable information about population size, group composition, dolphin distribution, and habitat use.  In addition, focal animal follows are conducted, in which one dolphin or a group of dolphins is observed for several consecutive hours. This type of survey provides valuable information about activity budgets and habitat use.

    The ECDP has logged a total of 1015 survey hours on 360 days as of 1/19/00.  A comparable amount of time has also been spent in lab processing data.  There are currently 697 dolphins in the Eckerd College catalog.

    The Eckerd College catalog is compared with catalogs from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and a catalog of Tampa Bay dolphins compiled for a Master's thesis at the University of South Florida. These collaborations allow for the construction of a clearer picture of dolphin home ranges and distribution in coastal waters of west, central Florida.

    The Eckerd College study focuses on answering a variety of questions regarding the ecology of bottlenose dolphins.  Data resulting from the project can provide insight into questions regarding dolphin abundance, distribution, reproduction, stock discreteness, habitat use, and behavior.  It is important to investigate these basic questions in order to contribute to general knowledge regarding the biology, ecology, and behavior of dolphins, and to aid in the making of informed conservation and management decisions regarding dolphins and dolphin habitat.

Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory

The waters surveyed by the ECDP.

If you would like to help support the Eckerd College Dolphin Project please contact Rick Haskins, V.P. or  Cindy Wesner in the Colleges' Development office.