Get involved
There are a few ways to get involved in the Port Aransas Dolphin Project. In the schedule and events page, one can find scheduled dates and times for research sessions. People are encouraged to come to Roberts Point Park at these times to help take photos and assist in the behavioral data collection. If you plan to attend, please dress accordingly. Sun screen, a hat and sun glasses are staples as well as a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Bring binoculars and a camera. You can also check the calendar for other scheduled events, such as World Ocean’s Day in June and other events.
The other way you can get involved is to collect good images of dolphins’ dorsal fins (fin on the back), to add to our photo-ID catalog. For good measure, you can also send in good images of dolphins too.
Word of caution: Do not jump in a boat and chase down dolphins in order to get a good photo. This is illegal and a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 1972. Fines are up to $100,000 and a year in jail for harassing, chasing, agitating, etc. a marine mammal. Any photos submitted under these circumstances will not be posted and they will be reported to authorities.
How to get photos without breaking the law: We will only accept photos taken from the observation tower in Roberts Point Park, anywhere along the shore, a dock or pier, or other land based platform. We will also accept photos taken from the ferry or from a dolphin watching tour boat.
How to get a useable dorsal fin image: Timing is everything. Try to anticipate when a dolphin is going to surface and be ready to shoot. Sometimes one has to shoot consecutively in order to get the right shot. Try to shoot the dorsal fin when it is above the surface of the water and the animal is perpendicular to you. Any shots taken when the dolphin is swimming in any other angle distorts the image of the dorsal fin (see images below as a reference). Check your camera settings to be sure you have it on the right settings and consider lighting.
Submitting your images: Please email images to: [email protected], or go to our Facebook page . Please include the time and date of the photo if possible, where the image was taken and your name. You can also post images to our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/P.A.Dolphins/
Once submitted, images will be reviewed and posted on the photo-id catalog page. If the dolphin was already photographed, we will note that on the page.
We have also included a comments section at the bottom of the page. We are socially and environmentally conscious and want to hear your feedback so we can continue to improve and grow.
The other way you can get involved is to collect good images of dolphins’ dorsal fins (fin on the back), to add to our photo-ID catalog. For good measure, you can also send in good images of dolphins too.
Word of caution: Do not jump in a boat and chase down dolphins in order to get a good photo. This is illegal and a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 1972. Fines are up to $100,000 and a year in jail for harassing, chasing, agitating, etc. a marine mammal. Any photos submitted under these circumstances will not be posted and they will be reported to authorities.
How to get photos without breaking the law: We will only accept photos taken from the observation tower in Roberts Point Park, anywhere along the shore, a dock or pier, or other land based platform. We will also accept photos taken from the ferry or from a dolphin watching tour boat.
How to get a useable dorsal fin image: Timing is everything. Try to anticipate when a dolphin is going to surface and be ready to shoot. Sometimes one has to shoot consecutively in order to get the right shot. Try to shoot the dorsal fin when it is above the surface of the water and the animal is perpendicular to you. Any shots taken when the dolphin is swimming in any other angle distorts the image of the dorsal fin (see images below as a reference). Check your camera settings to be sure you have it on the right settings and consider lighting.
Submitting your images: Please email images to: [email protected], or go to our Facebook page . Please include the time and date of the photo if possible, where the image was taken and your name. You can also post images to our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/P.A.Dolphins/
Once submitted, images will be reviewed and posted on the photo-id catalog page. If the dolphin was already photographed, we will note that on the page.
We have also included a comments section at the bottom of the page. We are socially and environmentally conscious and want to hear your feedback so we can continue to improve and grow.
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The Software programs are available to sort and match fins, however for this project, it is not a viable option at this time. All fins are inspected visually and matched. It can be tricky, as dolphins' markings can change over time. At first glance, the two fins below (left and center) look like they could be the same individual. But when the fins are studied more carefully, one can see they are not in fact the same. If you look more closely at the image on the right, on the tip of the dorsal fin, there are parasites attached to the fin known as Xenobalena. The parasite is not permanent, so it cannot be used as a way to identify an individual.
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