The spinner dolphins are probably best known for their powerful acrobatic displays, leaping and spinning from the ocean. But did you know dolphins also spend the night foraging offshore and return to sheltered bays and coastlines to rest during the day?
During a month of research off the coast of Kona on Hawaii island last summer as part of the Spinner Dolphin Acoustics, Population Parameters and Human Impacts Research project, Duke University graduate student Demi Fox noticed people were disturbing the dolphins while they were trying to rest.
While tracking how many swimmers and boaters were out on the bay, she noticed visitors from tours would surround dolphins, grab their dorsal fins or try to ride them.
These have long been issues of concern in Hawaii, but now there’s an app — The Nai‘a Guide (iTunes, free) — to raise awareness of how these human interactions affect dolphins.
Fox, 24, who was at the time studying coastal environmental management, developed the app as part of a project to complete her master’s degree.
Passionate about everything related to the ocean, she continues postgraduate research for the Lenfest Ocean Program in Beaufort, N.C.
"Mobile technology is growing so rapidly," she said. "This allows us to put science directly in the hands of people that are going to see the dolphins. It’s a way to empower people to learn more and to make more responsible decisions."
She calls it "an ecological conscience for tourists seeking to experience Hawaiian spinner dolphins."
Much of this information is also available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which does not recommend swimming with wild spinner dolphins because it disturbs their critical rest period. Regular disturbance could force the dolphins to move to a less favorable location with predators.
NOAA recommends tour operators stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins and limit viewing times to half an hour. Approaching a dolphin and touching it could be considered harassment, a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The Nai‘a Guide offers information on dolphin biology and ecology in a simple, straightforward way, along with tips on responsible viewing.
Dolphins are conscious breathers, so they still need to swim and surface for air while resting.
Most people don’t intend any harm, but might not realize the dolphins are trying to rest, Fox said.
She equated the situation to having boatloads of observers coming by your bedside at night.
The app will be updated with new scientific information, Fox said, and her goal is to make it available on more platforms. She’s also looking at whether similar apps can be developed for other species of marine mammals.
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On the Net:
» The Nai‘a Guide: www.naiaguide.org
» Hawaii Viewing Guidelines: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/hawaii
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Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at nwu@staradvertiser.com.
