Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research 2016 Photo-Identification Training

Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research 501 c(3) non-profit organization 501 c(3) non-profit organization Promote the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Outer Banks through research and education Promote the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Outer Banks through research and education Obxdolphins.org Obxdolphins.org Facebook: Onion, A North Carolina Dolphin Facebook: Onion, A North Carolina Dolphin Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research

The Bottlenose Dolphin Coastal and offshore lbs, +9 ft. Long! Eat small fish and squid Strand feed Kerplunk

Biological Indicators Bottlenose dolphins are important indicators of coastal environmental health. Long life span Top predators Concentrate contaminants

Conservation of the Bottlenose Dolphin Protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 Protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 “Optimum Sustainable Population” “Optimum Sustainable Population” If not => conservation plan If not => conservation plan GA Permit (OBXCDR) GA Permit (OBXCDR)

1987 Die off Massive die off Massive die off dolphins stranded from NJ to FL 742 dolphins stranded from NJ to FL Ten-fold increase of stranded dolphins Ten-fold increase of stranded dolphins Why? Why?

Stock Structure Hypotheses Coastal Migratory Stock Coastal Migratory Stock Multiple Stocks Multiple Stocks

Bottlenose Dolphin Management Units K Urian, 2009 Northern North Carolina Estuarine System Stock (NNCESS) (sound and ocean) 823 dolphins in the NNCESS Overlap with other stocks?

North Carolina Bottlenose Dolphin Stocks

2013 Unusual Mortality Event Unexpected Unexpected Significant die-off (+1650) Significant die-off (+1650) Immediate response Immediate response Declared July 2013 Declared July 2013 Cetacean Morbillivirus Cetacean Morbillivirus Affected the NNCES stock Affected the NNCES stock

Effects of the UME on NNCESS Dolphins 3 confirmed losses to our seasonally resident population 3 confirmed losses to our seasonally resident population

Threats to Bottlenose Dolphins Pollution Pollution Entanglement Entanglement Disease Disease

Boat Surveys Roanoke Sound: Population dynamics, seasonal movement, skin lesions Albemarle and Croatan Sounds: Exploratory

Field Responsibilities: Boat Driver Operates vessel during surveys and sightings Maneuvers around dolphins to minimize disturbance Keeps track of dolphins at all times Assists data recorder with GPS

Field Responsibilities: Data Recorder Records time, GPS for each sighting Records group size estimates, individuals, activity state Measures and records environmental data during sighting

Scanning for Dolphins Look for this!

Scanning for Dolphins Watch out for crab pot floats, diving birds!

Photo-Identification Non-invasive mark-recapture Non-invasive mark-recapture Dorsal fin photographs Dorsal fin photographs Environmental measurements Environmental measurements

FinBase Catalog

The Outer Banks Dolphins ONION MOHAMMED ARTEMIS AND CALF SKYLAR 708 BUDDHA SEQUOIA SCARLET FATLIP

Through long-term photo-id studies, we can learn about… Movement/migration patterns Population Abundance Calving Rate Habitat Use Social behaviors Health Status

Seasonally Resident “Onion’s Group” Summer in Nags Head Winter in Beaufort, NC

Life History Calves stay with moms for 3-6 years Leave moms to join juvenile groups Males live years, females live years on average Adults Males10-12 years Females7-8 years

Boys and Girls Male pairs Nursery groups Onion and Pinchers 708 and Sequoia Double Scoop and Little Scoop Fatlip and newborn

Skin Lesions At least 7 types of skin lesions occur on Outer Banks dolphins In 2012, 46% of sample population had lesions, most in the spring

Using Field Research for Conservation Data available to environmental managers through MABDC Data available to environmental managers through MABDC Collaborate with other research organizations Collaborate with other research organizations Publish in journals Publish in journals Present at scientific conferences Present at scientific conferences Local outreach programs and publications Local outreach programs and publications

Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog Collaborative effort of east coast scientists to examine movements of dolphins along the coast Match OBX catalog to other contributor’s catalogs at:

Volunteers Research volunteers Photo-Id surveys Outreach Volunteers Environmental Education Fundraising Student Internships

Fundraisers Adopt a Dolphin ($50) Adopt a Dolphin ($50) Salty Paws Cookies ($1/each) Salty Paws Cookies ($1/each) T-Shirts ($18 adults/$15 youth/toddler) T-Shirts ($18 adults/$15 youth/toddler) Shrimp Cookoff Shrimp Cookoff (November 6 th, 2016) (November 6 th, 2016)

Adopt A Dolphin Personalized adoption certificate Bottlenose dolphin fact sheet T-shirt Bumper sticker

Boating Safety