Research
The mission of the Port Aransas Dolphin Project is to identify as many individuals as possible through photo-identification. This information will provide a better understanding of the dolphin population that utilizes the channel. We are interested in determining if the dolphins in the channel are year-round residents, are they seasonal residents, how many transients come through etc. We are also interested in the number of mother/calf pairs that frequent the channel, to determine the importance of the channel as a nursery.
Photo identification is a non-invasive tool for scientists to study wild populations of bottlenose dolphins. Photographing dolphins can be very problematic, however. Sea state, (wave action), turbidity and bad weather conditions make photo-ID very challenging. The Port Aransas Channel is relatively calm because it is protected, making for more ideal conditions.
The research is also evaluating frequency and duration of various dolphin behaviors, such as feeding, diving, breeding/social activities, traveling etc. Boat traffic also impacts dolphin behavior, so avoidance/displacement behaviors are evaluated as well as the relation of vessel types to this kind of behavior.
Photo identification is a non-invasive tool for scientists to study wild populations of bottlenose dolphins. Photographing dolphins can be very problematic, however. Sea state, (wave action), turbidity and bad weather conditions make photo-ID very challenging. The Port Aransas Channel is relatively calm because it is protected, making for more ideal conditions.
The research is also evaluating frequency and duration of various dolphin behaviors, such as feeding, diving, breeding/social activities, traveling etc. Boat traffic also impacts dolphin behavior, so avoidance/displacement behaviors are evaluated as well as the relation of vessel types to this kind of behavior.
