Voice of Byron regular, Melissa Darnley, shared with us the Lighthouse Friends and Volunteers meeting with Dr Liz Hawkins of Dolphin Research Australia.
“SUCH A FASCINATING morning spent with the amazing Dr Liz Hawkins of Dolphin Research Australia today. We learnt so much about our local groups of dophins and their behaviour thanks to the research carried out extensively by Dr Liz and her group since 2003.
“Results of this research have revealed that the Byron Bay region is utilized by over 1000 bottlenose dolphins that live in highly structured societies. Within this large population, only an estimated 30% are resident throughout the year. Critical habitats for these resident groups, which consist primarily of females and calves, have been identified within areas of concentrated human activity.
“Our research has identified some areas of significance for our dolphin populations. These areas are primarily used by our female dolphin groups for socialising, resting and teaching their young. They will also periodically use these areas to feed and forage opportunistically. In the figure below, the areas of critical and important habitat for Byron Bays dolphins are shown along with the locations of dolphin groups we’ve observed during our land-based surveys.
“This area of critical habitat is of high importance to the survival of our local dolphin communities who use it on a daily basis. This area is also where many recreational and tourist activities take place. Such activities can pose a threat to the health and wellbeing of these communities by increasing levels of stress, disrupting critical behaviours and degrading habitat. Our work is helping to ensure that our communities of dolphins remain safe and these areas remain a sanctuary for them”