The Dolphin & Whale Research Centre (DWRC) is based in the spectacular Plettenberg Bay, which is fast becoming the whale and dolphin capital of the Garden Route in South Africa, and a breeding ground for dolphins and whales.
The DWRC, officially launched in 1990, evolved from the need to expand our knowledge of Western Indian Ocean, and in particular Southern African, coastal and pelagic marine mammals, in light of the continued and increasing degradation of our environment. Through a network of scientists and post-graduate students, the more than 30 research programmes undertaken by the DWRC have contributed in excess of 145 publications to the scientific and popular literature.
The DWRC is closely allied with the goals and aims of the WORLD CONSERVATION UNION (IUCN) Species Survival Commission and in particular the Cetacean and Sirenian Specialist Groups. The close association of the DWRC with a number of other institutions affords an inter/multidisciplinary approach, which results in an active and innovative program of research on marine mammals and their habitat.
The primary mission of the DWRC is to gather information on all marine mammal, and particularly dolphin species, inhabiting the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Secondly, to co-ordinate and integrate multidisciplinary research on the behaviour, ecology, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, toxicology, parasitology, conservation and management of these marine mammals. Although available funding will inevitably restrict activities, research priorities will be decided by their urgency and the DWRC attempts to generate financial support, for priority research and high calibre student education and public awareness campaigns, from governmental and private funding bodies.
With more than 20 years experience, and formerly curator of the Port Elizabeth Museum, Dr Vic Cockroft is
renowned in scientific circles for his research and expertise in the field of dolphins and whales along the Cape coast - his particular speciality being with dolphins along the Eastern Cape coast. Dr Debbie Young has been involved in many of these marine projects and has a special interest in education and Seabird Rehabilitation. The eco-tourism side of the organisation, Ocean Safaris, is used to contribute finance to scientific research projects on whales, dolphins and seals, along a stretch of coastline between Knysna and the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve.
STUDENT PROGRAMME
This programme is of particular interest to under graduates, graduates and post graduates who are keen to gain field experience with this sector of marine biology. The main part of the programme is to give you the opportunity to take part and learn research techniques used in the research projects outlined below. At times, you will be asked to assist with the tourist operation by giving support on the whale and dolphin viewing boats. Assistance on the boats will also be required with the education programme for school groups and under privileged children. Volunteers will also learn about a variety of topics during their time at the centre, including;
- Introduction to marine mammals - Diversity and Identification
- Evolution of marine mammals
- Marine mammal anatomy and physiology
- Age and growth
- Diet and feeding
- Reproduction
- Behaviour and social biology
- Research techniques
- Strandings
- Threats and conservation
These topics will be taught via lectures, practical workshop and during the data collection and analysis carried out for the research projects.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Bottlenose and Humpback Dolphin Dolphin occurrence, movements, numbers and habitat use in the Plettenberg Bay area - do the Tsitsikamma and Goukamma Marine Reserves contribute to dolphin conservation?
Individual bottlenose dolphins are identified by their dorsal fins. Many population parameters can be described by following the individual animals, for example; population size, movement patterns, individual and group associations, home range and habitat preference. Photo-identification techniques (mark re-capture) are used to establish the population biology of the dolphins. A "matrix of marks" system is employed to increase accuracy of repeat sightings. To date nearly 800 bottlenose dolphins have been identified in Plettenberg Bay. In the past, these photographs have been taken from a commercial dolphin and whale watching boat. However, with the advent of the A.C.E. student programme, dedicated coastal surveys to collect photo identification, are underway.
The results of many studies of marine mammals suggest the establishment of Marine Protected Areas as a means of conserving species in the future. There are a number of criteria that a Marine Protected Area must fulfil in order to successful in conserving a species. Therefore it is necessary to first have the knowledge of the overall requirements or the species in order to identify whether the Marine Protected Area will be successful in conserving the species. This study will try to identify the requirements of humpback dolphins in an attempt to discover whether the two Marine Protected Areas (Tsitsikama and Goukamma Nature Reserves) fulfil the needs of humpback dolphins, therefore, potentially playing a role in the conservation of the species in this area. Techniques as stated in 1. above are used. - Humpback whales visiting the eastern shores of South and East Africa. Scientists still have no idea of just how many whales there are, where they go to breed and the familial relationships between the whales sighted. To find the answers to some of these questions, the DWRC runs a humpback whale research project, where individual humpback whales are photographically identified, their songs, for which humpback whales are renowned, recorded and 'biopsies' taken. Biopsies are used for detailed 'familial' identification and are obtained by means of a humane system of taking a "plug" of skin. The biopsy is then laboratory analysed for DNA.
- Southern Right Whale occurrence, movements and numbers along the South African coast. Southern right whales visit the South African coastline from late June to November each year, to calf, mate and socialise. This has occurred for tens of thousands of years. However, commercial whaling reduced South Africa's right whales to near extinction. Fortunately, their numbers are steadily increasing, so much so that they have become the staple for commercial whale watchers. Long term research has shown that more than 2000 whales visit South Africa's coastline. But, what do they do once they arrive? Do they stay in the same areas? Do they move from one bay to another? Do they stay together? Do they visit the same areas year after year? Along with commercial whale and dolphin tour operators, the CDS collects and collates sightings of southern right whales off South Africa in an attempt to answer these questions.
- Seals on the Robberg peninsular were hunted for their fur and exterminated by 1908. They re-appeared in the early 1990s and there numbers now exceed 2 thousand. Fishermen in the area are now complaining that as numbers have now substantially recovered, their fish stocks are being dramatically reduced. This section of the project is to scientifically investigate their claim of reduced fish quantities, before any decision can be made as to the course of action to be taken. To do this the CDS collects seal 'scats' (faeces) from the seal colony, to find out what the seals feed on. This will show whether the seals compete with fishermen for fish, or whether seals and fishermen target different resources.
- The Plettenberg Bay Seabird Rehabilitation Centre has been established by Dr Debbie Young as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for polluted and contaminated sea birds, in particular penguins. Students will assist at the Centre as and when required.
Read the latest News and field reports from the Whale and Dolphin Centre
