Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch a testimony to the power of citizen science
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Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch ventured out on the Big Duck to undertake their 100th survey on August 25, with a team of 22 citizen scientists in tow.
Tony and Phyll Bartram first began Kangaroo lsland Dolphin Watch in 2005 and later expanded to Victor Harbor in 2011.
The monthly surveys present an opportunity for volunteers to take photos and collect data to monitor local dolphin populations.
Dolphin Watch currently has about 25 regular volunteers, but Tony and Phyll said they have had over 1000 people lend a helping hand since the program's inception.
Over 14 years, Dolphin Watch has gathered an abundance of information, allowing them to identify individual dolphins by distinctive dorsal fins or body markings and map out their movements.
They collect data on wind, air, and sea surface temperature to compare with behaviour of the mammals and record any correlations.
"The beauty of the dolphin and the reason we've chosen to research them is that they're actually a keystone species, and as a keystone species they give us indicators to everything else happening in the environment," Tony said.
The program is entirely grant sponsored and initially started for student educational purposes.
However, Phyll and Tony are truly passionate about raising awareness amongst people of all ages, and say the program gives all individuals the chance to gain an appreciation and respect for the ocean while 'making a difference'.
The milestone expedition included a special trip to the Pages Islands in the Encounter Marine Park to see the resident Australian sea lions.
The islands are a main breeding ground for the sea lions, and South Australia is home to over 80 per cent of the Australian sea lion population.
Over the course of the day, volunteers were also privy to two pods of short-beaked common dolphins surfing in the wake and racing alongside the boat.
As delightful as this was, Dolphin Watch fights against a number of major human-inducedthreats to the cetaceans' health and habitat.
Volunteers have lobbied against proposed oil drilling by Equinor in the Great Australian Bight, using their data to state their case.
Dolphin Watch took members of Equinor's management team on two surveys, and gave them the chance to swim with dolphins in an effort to show what is at risk.
Dolphin Watch are now in the process of trying to get Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley out on one of their surveys.
"If we want them to care, we have to show them what we care for," Tony said.
The passion the Dolphin Watch crew shares for the protection of these creatures is a testimony to the power of citizen science.
Tony and Phyll play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of ocean guardians who will ensure the future marine health of Fleurieu waters.