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July 15, 2000 Division of Fish and Wildlife Seeks Volunteer Dolphin CountersThe Division of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting dolphin spotters for the July 22 Mid-Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Count. Volunteers will be stationed at locations between Lewes and Fenwick Island from 9 to 11 a.m. to count the number of dolphins that pass by and report the information to the Division’s marine mammal program. In addition to counting dolphins, volunteers also note the weather conditions, water conditions, the directions of travel of the dolphins they see, human activity in the area, the number of newborn dolphin calves, vessel activity, and other environmental factors such as fish and bird activity. Coordinators will assign sites and provide training that morning. Volunteers must provide their own binoculars. In 1994, the first year Delaware participated in the count, 56 dolphins were sighted. Last year the count was 357. While down from 434 the previous year, many factors contribute to the number of dolphins sited at this particular time from year to year. “It takes at least 10 years of data to establish trends and patterns, but the good news is that the numbers have been going up every year,” said Lee Spence, coordinator of the Division’s marine mammal program. “We are probably seeing a recovery from the big dolphin die-off in 1987-88.” In that year, half of the dolphin population was lost and placed on the federal depleted species list for monitoring and restoration efforts. While the numbers seem to be increasing, young dolphins are seen to be in particular danger from stress of migrating, local boating, and toxins. Many newborn dolphins washed ashore toward the end of May 2000. According to Spence, the Division is approaching the National Fisheries Service to request a joint survey to pinpoint the sources of toxins that can affect the survival rate of newborn dolphins. Gathering dolphin population data is important for long-range planning. “We need a handle on the numbers to determine if dolphins can be removed from the federal depleted species list or if they should be added to the threatened species list,” Spence said. Individuals interested in participating in this year’s dolphin count, may contact Spence at the Division’s Little Creek field office at 302-739-4782 or Suzanne Thurman, assistant program coordinator, at 302-945-0677. - 30 - Document no. 40-01/00/07/011
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